The LA Chargers guaranteed J.K. Dobbins' departure by taking UNC running back Omarion Hampton in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The writing was already on the wall for Dobbins' departure after the Bolts signed Najee Harris and Hampton made it official.
Dobbins would have only been brought back if the Chargers completely struck out at running back in the draft. The Chargers inevitably are not the only team thinking this way, as Dobbins is likely the emergency option for several teams that need running back help and don't get it in the draft.
There is one team in particular that needed running back in the draft and didn't land one of the marquee names: the Kansas City Chiefs. Painfully, the Chiefs now make perfect sense to be Dobbins' next NFL team.
Unfortunately for Chargers fans, J.K. Dobbins makes perfect sense for the Chiefs
The Chargers are moving on from Dobbins and it makes sense for the Bolts. Unfortunately, this may put a player who fans fell in love with last season on the team's most hated rival.
Kansas City went into the NFL Draft needing a running back and didn't draft one until the seventh round. As promising as Chiefs fans may think Brashard Smith is, he won't fill the running back void the team has going into the 2025 season.
That opens the door for Dobbins to join the Chiefs and why wouldn't he jump at the opportunity? Not only is Dobbins looking to extend his NFL career but he is also looking to win. There is no better place for Dobbins to accomplish those two things than the Chiefs.
While the Chargers may have moved on from Dobbins (likely because of injury concerns), let's not forget how good he was for the Bolts last season. Dobbins was the engine of the Chargers offense as the team was noticeably different when he wasn't on the field.
The former Ohio State running back averaged 4.6 yards per carry and 69.6 rushing yards per game while also being a passing weapon for Justin Herbert. Now imagine that in a Chiefs offense with Patrick Mahomes under center.
As long as he is healthy, Dobbins is a lethal running back who would level the Chiefs' offense up in 2025. The Chiefs were right to wait until after the NFL Draft just in case a big-name running back fell to them in a smart spot.
But with that not happening, the most logical move for Kansas City is to sign Dobbins. Unfortunately for the Chargers, their new running back room may directly hurt them by helping the Chiefs.