All Odafe Owe knew was Baltimore. The 2021 first-round pick has settled there as part of a multi-year quest for an AFC title contender.
A year ago, Owe posted career highs in sacks (10), tackles for loss (nine) and quarterback hits (23). But he failed to renew his contract, causing uncertainty over his future at the Crows.
“I was really trying to get the opportunity to be in a new system and prove that I can to the people who are really trying to see it,” Owe said Wednesday, “so I have a little bit of animosity behind me.”
The 6-foot-5, 265-pound outside linebacker got his wish Tuesday when the Chargers acquired him and a 2027 draft pick in exchange for safety Alohi Gilman and a 2026 draft pick.
Entering the season in potential territory after the Ravens picked up his fifth-year option, Oye has 12 games to show the Chargers that he deserves to stay. His season has been mixed so far, as he has yet to record a single pass despite ranking 42nd in the NFL with 12 pressures.
With Khalil Mack on injured reserve, the Chargers boasted a lone performance on the brink – Tuli Tuipulotu led the team in pressures with 27 targets. Ode will likely be in the rotation against Miami on Sunday, coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters earlier this week.
“I expect him to be a really good player who can run and a really good player who can pass, and I'm really excited about, you know, his ability to pass,” defensive coordinator Jesse Minter said. “The ability to confuse people, confuse defenders. That's something that, you know, we struggled with at times.”
Minter pointed to the higher pressure level of Oweh, who ranks second on the Chargers behind Tuipulotu, as cause for concern, even comparing him to Tuipulut as a player who can “out of the blue” produce multiple sacks.
Owe said he believes the results will come, especially with more playing opportunities in Los Angeles.
“I don’t attribute this to the fact that I don’t have movements – [or] I'm not winning. I won,” Oue said. “I know the fact that I have a lot of pressure on me, at some point it will show. … There will be production.”
Owe said the Chargers have a reputation as the Los Angeles Ravens, and he's not far off.
Harbaugh's brother, John Harbaugh, heads the Baltimore operation. Greg Roman, the Chargers' offensive coordinator, held the same position with the Ravens from 2019-22. Minter spent time in Charm City, holding numerous coaching positions from 2017 to 2020.
Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz was involved in the Ravens' decision to draft Oweh while he was Baltimore's director of player personnel. Hortiz even attended Ove's pro day at the University of Pennsylvania.
Safety Derwin James Jr., who had the same agent as Owe, was given the opportunity to train with him in the offseason.
“Very high speed,” James said when asked about what Oweh adds to the defense. “I know what he has to offer.”
Owe said knowing several people in the Chargers organization makes it easier to “start again” despite the “shocking” end to his time with the Ravens.
“It’s the perfect place for me to have a different experience but at the same time have some similarities,” Owe said.
