One of the top free agents for the Los Angeles Chargers this offseason is running back J.K. Dobbins. Given the team’s lack of depth and consistent production at the position, many expect the Chargers to bring Dobbins back after a strong 2024 season in which he rushed for 905 yards.
However, Dobbins missed a month due to a knee injury, and the running game struggled in his absence. With Gus Edwards and Kimani Vidal as the only other running backs on the roster, the Chargers will likely look to add more depth, even if they re-sign Dobbins.
But what if the team opts for an upgrade instead? Scott Engel of NJ.com believes that’s a real possibility. In his free-agency predictions, he speculates that the Chargers could sign veteran running back Aaron Jones.
“There’s a good chance Jones returns to Minnesota, but if not, Los Angeles would be a great fit. He could step in as a versatile and much-needed starter. Even at 30 years old, Jones remains an effective runner with power, agility, and some speed,” Engel wrote.
Jones had an impressive 2024 season with the Minnesota Vikings, rushing for a career-best 1,138 yards and five touchdowns while also contributing as a receiver with 51 catches for 408 yards and two more scores. Despite being 30, he has maintained his durability, playing all 17 games last season—a key advantage over Dobbins, who has battled multiple injuries.
Engel predicts that Dobbins will sign with the Cleveland Browns, bringing him closer to his college roots at Ohio State.
If that happens, the Chargers could draft a reliable No. 2 running back and enter 2025 with a fresh approach under Jim Harbaugh’s run-heavy offense.
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