The LA Chargers surprised many when the team slapped an unrestricted free agency tender on running back J.K. Dobbins. After all, Dobbins' departure (potentially to an AFC West team) seemed inevitable after the Bolts drafted Omarion Hampton in the first round.
This move was initially viewed as a squeeze play by the Chargers to get an extra comp pick out of a player they don't want to bring back. If Dobbins signs with another team it will count toward the 2026 compensatory draft formula. If he doesn't, he will return to the Chargers on a one-year, $1.1 million deal.
Many assume the former is going to happen, but it may actually be the latter. The Chargers quietly teased this reality (perhaps unintentionally) by revealing the numbers that will be worn by the incoming batch of rookies. Rookie safety R.J. Mickens was originally supposed to wear No. 27 — Dobbins' number — but is now going to wear No. 41 instead.
R.J. Mickens' number change reveals a lot about J.K. Dobbins' future with the Chargers
Normally, it would seem a bit trivial to care this much about what numbers the incoming rookie class is wearing but it is very topical given all the circumstances. Without the added context around Dobbins, this would mean nothing. That is not the reality we live in.
Mickens changing from the number Dobbins wears to a different number shortly after the UFA tender move shows that the Chargers are preparing for the running back to return. That doesn't mean it is guaranteed to happen, but the Chargers are preparing for it.
After, the UFA tender doesn't just count toward the compensatory formula for the Chargers, it counts for the team that would theoretically sign Dobbins as well. As silly as it sounds, losing out on a compensatory pick could be the deciding factor that keeps a team from signing Dobbins.
This would give the Chargers a three-man running back room worth writing home about. Najee Harris, Hampton and Dobbins would provide quite the boost in the running game. Harris and Hampton has similar games, while Dobbins would be an over-qualified change-of-pace option.
This also sets the Chargers up nicely in the case of injuries. Injuries are inevitable in the NFL and it would be legitimately shocking if both Harris and Hampton suited up for all 17 games in 2025. Bringing Dobbins back would protect the team from any injuries they suffer.
On the flip side, this would be bad news for 2024 draft pick Kimani Vidal. Vidal is on track to be the RB3 next season after showing serious potential in his rookie season. Dobbins returning would push Vidal down to RB4, and depending on the make-up of the 53-man roster, could push him to the practice squad.