Former Baltimore Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins just had the best season of his NFL career, and now he’s back in limbo.
After bouncing back from a brutal run of injuries in Baltimore, Dobbins quietly re-established himself in Los Angeles last season with 905 rushing yards and nine total touchdowns. He helped the Chargers reach the playoffs in Jim Harbaugh’s first year and finished second in Comeback Player of the Year voting behind Joe Burrow.
But despite all that production, Dobbins is still a free agent—and the Chargers just made things... weirder.
On Tuesday, the team placed the rarely used unrestricted free agent (UFA) tender on Dobbins. If he signs elsewhere before July 22, it’ll count toward the 2026 compensatory pick formula. If no one signs him by then, the Chargers gain exclusive negotiating rights—and Dobbins would be attached to a one-year, $3.43 million deal. Pay close attention to the comp pick portion.
Chargers keeping the door open with J.K. Dobbins... for now
On the surface, this move makes almost no sense. The Chargers signed Najee Harris this offseason and spent a first-round pick on Omarion Hampton. They also cut Gus Edwards and never re-signed Dobbins, whose path to touches now looks completely blocked.
So why place a tender on him?
This feels less like the Chargers trying to keep Dobbins in the building and more like Jim Harbaugh stockpiling insurance. Hampton is a rookie, Harris has been inconsistent, and Greg Roman’s uninspiring run-heavy offense requires downhill runners who can pick up the scheme quickly. Dobbins checks every box. If things go south, Harbaugh can bring him back without a bidding war.
But there’s another layer here too.
General manager Joe Hortiz was hired last offseason after a long run in Baltimore, the team that practically wrote the book on compensatory picks. It’s no surprise that influence is starting to show. They know how to squeeze value out of every angle. This tender protects the Chargers’ shot at a 2026 compensatory pick if Dobbins walks elsewhere, which might have been the entire point. For $3.4 million in non-guaranteed money, it’s a no-risk move with potential long-term payoff.
It’s not unprecedented. The Ravens once did this with Justin Houston. The Patriots pulled the same trick with LeGarrette Blount. Sometimes the player re-signs. Sometimes they leave. But it’s all about options.
Dobbins could still land somewhere else, and maybe that’s what both sides want. But if he doesn’t, Harbaugh can quietly drop a proven back into the mix if things don’t go as planned. Call it weird. But don’t call it random. The Chargers might’ve just made a brilliant back-pocket move—even if Dobbins never plays a snap for them ever again—straight of the Ravens' comp pick manual.