Ravens may have landed hidden gem by nabbing Alohi Gilman in Odafe Oweh trade
The Baltimore Ravens made a shocking trade on Tuesday, dealing outside linebacker Odafe Oweh and a 2027 seventh-round pick to the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for safety Alohi Gilman and a 2026 fifth-round pick.
The big player in the deal was Oweh, who is coming off a 10-sack season in 2024, but has yet to tally his first sack of 2025. The 26-year-old is also in a contract year, and was likely on his way out of Baltimore by season’s end, so he will get a chance to stand out on one of the better contenders in the AFC as he looks to play into a big-time contract by the time the 2026 offseason rolls around.
With most of the attention on Oweh, Baltimore’s acquisition of Gilman is flying under the radar. He is not a flashy player by any means, but he has been a strong contributor to Los Angeles’ defense throughout his six-year career. Now, he joins a Ravens’ defense that is searching for its identity in the midst of a disastrous start to the 2025 campaign.
Many of the issues that have led to Baltimore having the league’s worst defense through five weeks have been due to the lack of communication. Blown coverages have been a common theme, as they have given up 1,313 passing yards, which is the second-worst mark in the NFL. In Gilman, the Ravens now have themselves an Ar’Darius Washington replacement, which should allow the rest of the secondary to flex their versatile muscles.
Alohi Gilman is an underrated acquisition
Washington played a key role in 2024, helping turn around a defense that was among the worst in the NFL through the first half of the regular season. Since he was thrust onto the starting defense, Baltimore became one of the best units. While the Ravens faced some of the worst offenses down the stretch of that season, the unit looked far more sound, and they could see similar reconstructions with Gilman playing next to rookie safety Malaki Starks.
Gilman has posted a 65.5 overall grade, per Pro Football Focus. He has proven to be a starting-caliber safety, and while he has the tendency to blow coverages every now and then, he brings depth to a depleted secondary. Most notably, the move will allow versatile safety Kyle Hamilton to hover around the field and be the dynamic playmaker everyone knows he is capable of being.
BREAKING: Four Referees Suspended After Controversial 49ers vs. Rams Game
In a stunning development following the San Francisco 49ers' 26–23 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Rams on October 2, 2025, the NFL has announced the suspension of four referees who officiated the game. The league's investigation revealed that the officiating crew overlooked several key violations committed by the Rams, significantly impacting the game's outcome and leading to an unfair defeat for the 49ers.
The game, held at SoFi Stadium, was a tightly contested matchup between two 3–1 teams. The 49ers appeared poised to extend their perfect record, leading 23–20 in the final moments of regulation. However, a series of controversial calls—or lack thereof—shifted the momentum in favor of the Rams.
One of the most glaring missed calls occurred when Rams running back Kyren Williams appeared to fumble at the goal line late in regulation. The no-call allowed Williams to secure the game-tying touchdown, leaving 49ers fans and players alike questioning the integrity of the officiating.
Additionally, during overtime, the Rams had a chance to win the game with a field goal attempt. However, 49ers defensive end Alfred Collins made a crucial play, forcing a fumble from Williams just before the goal line. The referees failed to penalize the Rams for what appeared to be a clear holding penalty on the play, allowing the Rams to retain possession and eventually attempt the game-winning field goal.
The NFL's decision to suspend the four referees underscores the seriousness with which the league views officiating integrity. In a statement, the NFL emphasized its commitment to ensuring fair play and accountability, noting that the suspensions are part of an ongoing review process aimed at maintaining the highest standards of officiating.
For the 49ers, the victory marks their fourth win of the season, improving their record to 4–1. Despite the officiating controversy, the team remains focused on their upcoming matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Head coach Kyle Shanahan expressed confidence in his team's resilience, stating, "We will learn from this experience and come back stronger."
As the NFL continues its investigation into the officiating crew, the 49ers' organization and their supporters await further developments, hoping for accountability and transparency in the league's handling of this contentious issue.
