The biggest individual story stemming from the LA Chargers' 2-0 start on the season has been J.K. Dobbins' resurgence. After signing for next to nothing with the Chargers, Dobbins has looked like the Ohio State version of himself through two games with the Bolts.
Dobbins leads the NFL in rushing with 266 yards on 27 carries with two touchdowns. After seeing how poorly the team ran the ball last season, Chargers fans have been over the moon seeing a running back average damn near 10 yards per carry en route to winning football games.
Dobbins isn't just a good story for Chargers fans, he is a good story for the entire league. After dealing with various injuries to his knee and Achilles, many wrote Dobbins off from ever being a productive running back in the NFL again.
Everyone except Dobbins himself and the select few that believed in him, like the Chargers. With his previous injuries in the rearview mirror and a bright future ahead in Los Angeles, Dobbins has become appreciative of the injuries he previously sustained. He said as much during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show.
"I'm grateful for my injuries because it brought more of the dawg outta me..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 16, 2024
I love it in Los Angeles and it really feels meant to be with the Chargers" ~ @Jkdobbins22 #PMSLive #BoltUp pic.twitter.com/Cwynb1eVrl
J.K. Dobbins' take on adversity it what makes this Chargers team so special
There are so many players in the NFL who do not come back from the injuries that Dobbins has suffered. The fact that he was not only able to return but play at a high level after his return is a testament to his hard work and his mindset to prove himself in the league.
However, Dobbins is not alone in coming from adversity and his mindset is likely one that is shared throughout the Chargers locker room. Dobbins had every reason in the book to make excuses and feel sorry for himself, but he hasn't. Instead, he looks at life's challenges as an opportunity to get better.
That right there is a peek into the culture Harbaugh has built since becoming the head coach of the Chargers. This is a team that doesn't run from adversity or make excuses because of it. It is a team that embraces said adversity, and knows that it can ultimately be a good thing.
Whether it be the injuries Dobbins has recovered from, the draft-bust narratives that Quentin Johnston has to deal with, the sports media talking heads Justin Herbert has to combat, or the overall stink that has surrounded the franchise for several years; the Chargers are not making excuses. They are learning. Getting better. Winning.
Dobbins has been a key component to the Chargers' early success not only because he has averaged 9.9 yards per carry, but because he embodies the exact culture that Harbaugh and Co. are building in Los Angeles.
As long as that culture exists, the Chargers, and J.K. Dobbins, will be competitive.