Commanders Sign Ex-Chargers Pass Rusher Odafe Oweh to $100M Deal

The 4-year contract includes $68 million in guaranteed money for the 27-year-old defensive standout.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Washington Commanders have agreed to a 4-year, $100 million contract with former Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers pass rusher Odafe Oweh. The deal includes $68 million in guaranteed money and will bolster the Commanders' defense, which ranked last in the league in yards allowed and 28th in pass defense last season.

Why it matters

Oweh is a high-end pass rusher in his prime who will immediately upgrade the Commanders' struggling defense. The team is looking to bounce back from a disappointing 5-12 season and Oweh's addition is a key part of their plan to get younger and better on that side of the ball.

The details

Oweh, 27, recorded a career-high 10 sacks with the Ravens in 2024 before being traded to the Chargers midway through the 2025 season. He had 7.5 sacks, 13 quarterback hits, 28 combined tackles and 8 tackles for loss in 12 games with the Chargers. Oweh will now slot in as the Commanders' top pass rusher, replacing the aging Von Miller who is now a free agent.

  • Oweh agreed to the 4-year, $100 million deal on March 9, 2026.

The players

Odafe Oweh

A 27-year-old pass rusher who spent the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens before being traded to the Los Angeles Chargers midway through the 2025 season.

Von Miller

A 36-year-old pass rusher who led the Commanders with 9 sacks last season but is now a free agent.

Dorance Armstrong Jr.

The Commanders' returning leader in sacks after posting 5.5 in 2025.

Jake Martin

A Commanders pass rusher who recorded 5.5 sacks in 2025 but is a pending free agent.

Jayden Daniels

The Commanders' quarterback who is looking to lead the team's bounce back after a disappointing 5-12 campaign.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The Commanders will look to Oweh to immediately bolster their pass rush and help the team bounce back from a disappointing 2025 season.

The takeaway

The Commanders have made a major investment in Odafe Oweh, locking up one of the premier free-agent defenders in this year's class. His addition is a key part of the team's plan to get younger and better on defense as they look to return to the playoffs after a down year.