CHARGERS SIGN FORMER RAVENS RB JK DOBBINS ON ONE-YEAR DEAL
Former Baltimore Ravens running back JK Dobbins is planning to sign a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Chargers, as first reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
The former 2020 second-round pick visited with the Chargers a few weeks prior and has been rehabbing in California ever since he had Achilles tendon surgery in September of last year. Dobbins also visited with the Kansas City Chiefs a few weeks back, but the back-to-back Super Bowl champions eventually re-signed 2020 first-round pick, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, on a short-term deal.
Dobbins’ agency, LAA Sports Entertainment, confirmed the news of his signing with the Chargers on Wednesday, and just like that, the former Raven moves from playing under head coach John Harbaugh to his younger brother, Jim.
Dobbins tweeted in response to the news, saying: “Let’s do it! #LaVuelta.”
An electric player when healthy and on the field, the Texas-born running back has averaged an impressive 5.8 yards per carry throughout his career. Unfortunately, Dobbins has only ever had one season of full health across his four years in the NFL after suffering a torn ACL in preseason in 2021 and tearing his Achilles tendon in Week 1 last season. Dobbins, however, registered an impressive 805 rushing yards as the Ravens backup running back in his full year as a rookie in 2020. He also scored a Ravens rookie record 9 rushing touchdowns.
The 25-year-old’s recent move to Los Angeles is part of an exodus that has been visibly noticeable this offseason with multiple personnel moving from Baltimore and landing with the Chargers over the past three months. The Chargers hired former Ravens director of player personnel Joe Hortiz as their General Manager in January and recently signed Dobbins’ backfield mate from Baltimore, Gus Edwards to a two-year deal.
The Chargers also signed former Ravens fullback Ben Mason, former OL Bradley Bozeman and Ravens’ 2018 first-round pick Hayden Hurst to short-term deals.
Dobbins is set to reunite with former Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman, who’s last play calling game for Baltimore saw the former Ohio State Buckeye have just 13 carries as the no.1 running back and only one touch of the ball in the red zone. The Ravens suffered a devastating 24-17 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals thanks to a 98-yard Sam Hubbard fumble return touchdown.
Dobbins was irate with the play calling and reiterated his sentiments to reporters after the Wild Card Weekend loss. “I should be the guy,” said the Houston native. “I’m tired of holding that back. I’m tired of that. 12 [minutes left to play]? It’s the playoffs, I’m tired of holding that back. Let’s go win the game. I’m tired of holding back on that. I’m tired of that.”
Asked if he said any of that to the coaches on the sideline, Dobbins said, “Yeah, I did. I’m tired of that. I’m tired of it, like, I’m tired of it. I’m a playmaker. I’m a guy that my teammates feed off me when I’m on the field, I should be out there all the time.”
Dobbins’ orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, wrote a letter to NFL teams last month clearing Dobbins for all football activities, but the young running back’s new contract this time around is expected to be contingent on a physical. Only six months removed from surgery, ElAttrache noted, however, that Dobbins looked “outstanding.”
With versatile running back Austin Ekeler off to Washington, the Chargers will now have a new look in their backfield as both Dobbins and Edwards look to bring what was part of the league’s no.1 rushing attack in Baltimore for a long time to the west coast, and alleviate some of the pressure from star quarterback Justin Herbert.
-Maher Abucheri
Twitter: @pabloikonyero
Photo: All-Pro Reels. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.