The Washington Commanders added one of the best pass rushers in free agency this offseason when they signed former Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Odafe Oweh to a multi-year deal. Here are five things to know about the former first-round pick.
1. He reignited his career with the Chargers.
Oweh had high expectations when the Baltimore Ravens drafted him with their first-round pick in 2021. He had his moments in his 67 games with the team, including a 10-sack campaign in 2024, but he struggled to start the 2025 season with just 10 tackles and five quarterback hits in five games.
Then Oweh got traded to the Chargers, and it didn't take long for him to impact their defense. He recorded four sacks along with 11 tackles in his first four games with the team. He had 12 total pressures in that span, according to Pro Football Focus, and had five quarterback hits. The Chargers also went 3-1 from Weeks 6-9, which helped dig themselves out of a 1-4 start and into the playoff discussion.
Oweh was at his best in the postseason. While the Chargers were decisively beaten by the New England Patriots and bounced in the first round, Oweh earned the team's second-best defensive grade from PFF with an 81. Although he did not start in the matchup, he had three sacks that helped him earn a 90.1 pass rush grade.
Oweh generated the sixth-highest pressure rate in the NFL once he was traded to the Chargers, leading the team with 37. The Commanders are hoping that at just 27 years old, there are more years like that in his future.
2. He had a late start to his football career.
Oweh's potential has been part of his story as an athlete for a while. He didn't start playing football until his sophomore year but seemed like a natural at the sport as a two-time All-Mid-Atlantic Prep League selection with 60 tackles and 13 sacks in his senior year.
Oweh didn't have standout stats at Penn State, but the Ravens drafted him primarily because of what he could become later in his career. Plus, he was a freak athlete with a 4.37 40-yard dash at 257 pounds. He received a 9.92 Relative Athletic Score (RAS) with "elite" grades in his vertical jump, broad jump, 40-yard dash, shuttle drill and three-cone drill.
"I'm obviously relatively new, but it's just really encouraging, because I've been playing for five years, but I'm making plays out there [with] an NFL team," Oweh said back in 2021. "I came from a 4-3 defense, and I'm playing outside linebacker. So, I'm picking it up pretty well, and it's making me feel good about my versatility and what I can do, and I'm just seeping in more and more information. It's a good start."
It might have taken a few years, but it looks like Oweh is starting to tap into that potential. He had a 17.3% pressure rate in 2025 with a 16.5% pass rush win rate, according to PFF. For a team like the Commanders that struggled to rush opposing quarterbacks, it does a lot to help elevate their defense's floor.
3. The story behind his name change.
Oweh wasn't always referred to by his first name. He went by his middle name -- Jayson -- throughout high school and college because no one could pronounce "Odafe."
However, he made the switch heading into his rookie year to honor his Nigerian heritage that helped get him to the NFL.
"I just felt like I really wanted to start being myself," Oweh said in a 2021 ESPN article.
Oweh's parents, Henry and Tania, are both from Nigeria and moved to the United States a few years before he was born. His name, which comes from the Urhobo tribe in southwest Nigeria, means "a wealthy individual." But his classmates growing up couldn't pronounce it, so much so that he decided he was "tired of that" and told people to refer to him as his middle name.
He didn't tell anyone about the name change, not even his parents, until his first teleconference with Baltimore reporters. The decision received an emotional reaction from his parents.
"I was proud. I was so proud," Tania said. "Because I saw what I now felt like is a maturation. I just felt like he was coming full circle. I saw a man who was comfortable with himself."
Check out the top photos of future Washington Commanders Odafe Oweh.
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Odafe Oweh (99) works out during an NFL football practice, Thursday, June 6, 2024, in Owings Mills, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Odafe Oweh (98) sacks Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) during an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Peter Aiken)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Odafe Oweh (99) looks on between plays during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Odafe Oweh (98) rushes Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (not shown) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Doug Murray)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Odafe Oweh (99) in action during the second quarter of an NFL preseason football game against the New Orleans Saints Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Odafe Oweh (99) takes to the field before an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Odafe Oweh (99) in action during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) gets sacked by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Odafe Oweh (99) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Baltimore, MD. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning (6) looks to pass against Baltimore Ravens linebacker Odafe Oweh (99) in the second half of an NFL football in Baltimore, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Odafe Oweh (99) takes to the field before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, October 5, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) is tackled by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Odafe Oweh pursues during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Odafe Oweh (99) in action during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Odafe Oweh in action against Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Odafe Oweh (99) takes to the field before an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Odafe Oweh (98) runs during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
FILE — Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes makes a pass attempt as he is tackled by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Odafe Oweh during the second half of an NFL football game Sept. 19, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Odafe Oweh (99) runs during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, December 10, 2023 in Baltimore, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Odafe Oweh (99) looks to make a play during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, November 26, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Odafe Oweh (99) looks on between plays during the second half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Sep. 15, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Odafe Oweh (99) celebrates a time out taken by the Detroit Lions during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Odafe Oweh (99) is seen during an NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Indianapolis Colts on Monday, Oct. 11, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Larry French)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Odafe Oweh (99) in action during the second half of an NFL football game \against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Odafe Oweh (99) rushes the passer during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Odafe Oweh (99) defends during an NFL football game against the New York Giants Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Odafe Oweh (98) walks the sideline before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Odafe Oweh during an NFL football practice, Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021 in Owings Mills, Md.(AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Odafe Oweh (99) runs during an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022 in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Odafe Oweh (99) walks on the field during an NFL football practice, Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, in Owings Mills, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Odafe Oweh (99) runs on the field during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) gets sacked by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Odafe Oweh (99), Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith (18), and Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul (4), in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Odafe Oweh (99) takes down Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) for a strip sack during an NFL football game, Sunday, November 12, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
Baltimore Ravens' Odafe Oweh during an NFL football practice, Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021, in Owings Mills, Md.(AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Odafe Oweh (99) in action during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Odafe Oweh (99) in action during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in Baltimore, Md. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Odafe Oweh (99) walks on the field before the start of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Thursday Nov. 11, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Doug Murray)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff, right, takes a hit from Baltimore Ravens linebacker Odafe Oweh after throwing a pass during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Odafe Oweh (99) celebrates with teammates after recovering a Kansas City Chiefs fumble in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Baltimore. Baltimore won 36-35. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Odafe Oweh (99) looks on between plays during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Odafe Oweh (98) reacts during the first half of an NFL wild card playoff football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, center, is sacked by Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Odafe Oweh (98) and defensive tackle Justin Eboigbe (92) in the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is hit by Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Odafe Oweh (98) and linebacker Khalil Mack (52) after throwing an incomplete pass in the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
4. He'san artist.
Oweh isn't just an artist when it comes to sacking quarterbacks. He's also an actual artist.
Oweh wants to be the best at whatever he's doing, and that includes drawing. According to a profile on the Ravens' team website, Oweh draws with "meticulous detail" and doesn't stop working on a piece until the picture is complete.
If you're looking to buy some of Oweh's sketches, you're out of luck. He doesn't sell any of his pieces and only does it as a hobby. But you can check out two examples of sketches he made with the Ravens below.
5. He's hoping to help revamp the Commanders' pass rush.
Of all the areas that Washington needed to address in free agency, pass rusher was arguably the most important. They finished tied for 12th in sacks but struggled to generate pressure and speed up quarterbacks' processing time.
Now the Commanders have legitimate weapons on the edge, as Oweh had almost twice as many pressures as any player on Washington's roster last year, according to Next Gen Stats. The Commanders are putting their faith and money in Oweh being able to improve their defensive front, and Oweh wants to reward them for believing in him.
"I just want to get after the passer, produce and make big plays for my team," Oweh said.
