Heading into last season, running back was a major concern for the Los Angeles Chargers. Top star production was rapidly declining, and injuries only worsened the situation, leaving Justin Herbert to shoulder nearly the entire offensive workload. In just five seasons, Herbert has already recorded two of the ten highest single-season passing attempts in NFL history.
When Jim Harbaugh took over as head coach, he made it a priority to relieve some of that pressure. His commitment to a stronger run game was clear with the hiring of Greg Roman as offensive coordinator, known for his power-run scheme. Roman wasted no time bringing in familiar faces from his time in Baltimore, adding J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards. Their arrival revitalized the Chargers’ rushing attack, providing much-needed balance to the offense.
The Chargers began the season with a split backfield, but J.K. Dobbins quickly emerged as the lead back. Despite both dealing with injuries, Dobbins put together an impressive season, finishing just shy of 1,000 yards in 13 games, while top stars struggled to make an impact, barely reaching 300 yards.
Edwards’ role diminished even further with the rise of rookie Kimani Vidal, leading to speculation about his future with the team. Those suspicions were confirmed on Friday night when ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Chargers are expected to release Edwards. This move comes as no surprise to those who followed the team last season, and it likely signals that Los Angeles has confidence in who their starting running back will be moving forward.
With Edwards set to be released, neither former Ravens running back will remain on the Chargers’ roster. However, Los Angeles has shown interest in bringing J.K. Dobbins back. This suggests they either plan to re-sign him or have confidence in landing a running back through the draft or free agency.
As for Edwards, he has built a reputation as a reliable complementary back. While he may not be a true No. 1 option, his physical running style makes him a valuable change-of-pace player. Once free agency opens next week, he should have no trouble finding a new team.