Why Daiyan Henley is Determined to Improve Following Breakout Campaign

Jun 13, 2025 at 09:00 AM

Omar Navarro

Jr. Writer

Daiyan Henley had been itching to get back on the field all spring.

After playing through a shoulder injury last season and spending most of the offseason program rehabbing and working his way back, the third-year linebacker could only watch as the team began drills.

But Henley was cleared as minicamp practices began earlier this week, and it's been a full go ever since to try and continue the upward trajectory.

"They were all like, 'Calm down,' it's just OTAs,'" Henley told reporters on Thursday. "But for me, every day counts."

The mindset continues to be one that drives Henley heading into Year 3, as a lot has changed in a span of a year.

The linebacker is coming off a monster year leading the Bolts in tackles, as he started in every game and held down the middle of one of the league's best defenses.

Whether it was his tackling ability or his prowess in coverage, Henley displayed his range and athleticism all throughout the year as one of the key mainstays on defense.

Those around the team, coaches and players alike, have raved all offseason about not only what Henley was able to do, but of how much more he can do in 2025.

It's expectations that the linebacker appreciates, but knows he has to put in work to prove them right — and it's all he's been up to this point of the offseason.

"I think the biggest thing about expectations like that is that they have to start within," Henley said. "It's not something that people should bestow upon you, you have to want that for yourself to go get it.

"That's always been my goal and aspirations, to be that type of player this league for years to come," Henley continued. "Whether it's this year, next year, that's something I'm continuously working for.

"It's a process, and I'm not ever trying to be stagnant," Henley added. "Last year was last year, it is what it is. I can improve. There's so much more for me out there."

Henley has been in the building and while he's been working his way back, he's also watched film from his previous season and on other players as well.

His eagerness to learn has spilled to the practice field as well, as he could be seen this week in practice working on pass rush moves off to the side alongside future Hall of Famer Khalil Mack, Derwin James, Jr., and Bud Dupree.

Henley has taken advantage of every avenue he can.

"That group right there, the names, it's just a bunch of guys who are trying to craft, get better each and every day," Henley said. "Not only do we get better in the moments we're practicing as a team, but when we have individual time and we can get together and help one another."

He later added: "When you see us there, we're crafting, trying to get better."

Chargers Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter and others on the defense also praised Henley's growth as more of a voice for the defense as well.

Minter said while there are factors that go into becoming one of the leaders, it's something the linebacker has earned and impressed with so far.

"I think leadership comes with production, it comes with experience," Minter said of Henley. "You have to sort of earn the right to be a leader. When you combine how he operates with the type of play that he put out there last year. He's been phenomenal this offseason."

James added: "He's talking more, he's being that leader, he's confident. I feel like the more Daiyan continues to play, the more he continues to lead, it'll be that much easier for him. He's that type of guy."

And it could spell some big things ahead for Henley in 2025.

While Henley kept his expectations for this year to himself, James didn't shy away from placing some lofty goals in what he's expecting from the linebacker in Year 3.

"I feel like he has that ceiling where he can be an All-Pro player," James said. "Not just Pro Bowl, but All-Pro."