The LA Chargers continued what has been a busy offseason thus far by releasing veteran running back Gus Edwards on Friday. Los Angeles released Joey Bosa earlier in the week to save over $25 million in cap space and save an additional $3.1 in salary-cap space by releasing Edwards.
Edwards signed a two-year deal with the Chargers last offseason and did not carry a big cap hit on the books in the 2025 season. The Chargers cutting Edwards likely had more to do with the veteran running back's performance in 2024 than it did his cap hit. If Edwards played better then he would still be a Charger. Simple as that.
While it is never great seeing a player get the ax before the end of their contract, the Chargers releasing Edwards before the start of free agency does at least foreshadow some good news for Chargers fans.
Chargers releasing Gus Edwards all but confirms J.K. Dobbins will return
It's hard to imagine the Chargers deciding to cut Edwards before free agency begins if they were not sure about J.K. Dobbins' future. With the Chargers making a decision earlier than they had to, the team is essentially telling the fanbase Dobbins will be back.
The running back market is thin and there is not an external option worth exploring over Dobbins. Dobbins was productive when healthy last season and with a reasonable contract projection, it's a no-brainer for the Chargers to bring him back.
Of course, as a free agent Dobbins has the ability to sign with any team in the league. Los Angeles deciding to release his fellow former Ravens teammate signals the team is optimistic Dobbins will return.
Sophomore Kimani Vidal and former Michigan Wolverine Hassan Haskins are the only running backs under contract heading into NFL free agency. The Chargers wouldn't release Edwards and set themselves up to be pigeonholed into drafting a running back if they weren't sure Dobbins was going to return.
This also swings the door open for the team to draft a running back in the mid-rounds to eventually take over for Dobbins as the RB1. This is a loaded running back class and the Chargers won't want to miss out on it. With Edwards gone there is an additional roster spot for the Bolts to use on a rookie running back.
It's unfortunate to see Edwards go but it will ultimately be for the best for the Chargers. Edwards was not very impactful last season and the Chargers will likely upgrade for cheaper with a rookie as the RB2.