The Baltimore Ravens have primarily seen their defensive depth ravaged y free agency, but the offense has also lost soem noteworthy names. John Simpson and Kevin Zeitler both signed elsewhere, and now JK Dobbins is joining his former Ravens teammate in Gus Edwards.
Edwards signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Chargers, reuniting with former Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman under his ex-coach John Harbaugh's brother Jim. The Chargers are trying to replicate everything the Ravens have done in the last few years, including leaning on Dobbins.
Dobbins, who suffered a torn ACL in 2021 and a torn Achilles in 2023, signed a one-year contract with the Chargers as he tries to rehabilitate his value. Dobbins, who averaged an insane 5.8 yards per carry while scoring 12 touchdowns in four Baltimore seasons marred by injury, is the latest in a long line of Ravens to join LA.
The Chargers seem to have forgotten that having Lamar Jackson was the secret ingredient that made those vaunted Ravens teams of the last few years click. The Chargers are essentially rebranding as the Los Angeles Ravens, even without the most noteworthy piece in the fold.
Former Ravens RB JK Dobbins plans to sign a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Chargers, per his agency LAA Sports. He now will reunite with his former Ravens OC Greg Roman in Los Angeles. https://t.co/p7N8DJDjO4
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 17, 2024
Chargers once again copy Baltimore Ravens with JK Dobbins signing
LA hired former Ravens personnel executive Joe Hortiz as general manager. In addition to hiring a Harbaugh brother and naming Roman the offensive coordinator, nearly a half-dozen additions in a very busy Chargers offseason have been players Horitz had some connection to in Baltimore.
On top of Edwards and Dobbins joining the new-look backfield, former Ravens fullback Ben Mason will also be wearing powder blue next season. Tight end Hayden Hurst was picked over Jackson when Horitz was in a position of power in Baltimore, and center Bradley Bozeman was another Hortiz draft pick with the Ravens.
The Lions tried to reconstruct the Bill Belichick Patriots in Detroit under Matt Patricia, and it flopped. The Jets tried to become Packers East last year, and that was a mess. Anyone remember Gus Bradley trying to construct a psuedo Legion of Boom in Jacksonville? This strategy is missing the key element, namely Jackson's playmaking.
While it's cool to see Dobbins get a second chance, as his play is more than worthy of another contract with a team that is committing to run the ball (it's better than joining the Chiefs!), the Chargers are once again trying to pick up a player from Baltimore's discard pile.
Unless Dobbins and Edwards become the best 1-2 punch in the league, this offense could be in for rougher sledding than last year.