The Los Angeles Chargers have placed an unrestricted free-agent (UFA) tender on running back J.K. Dobbins, allowing him to remain eligible to sign with any NFL team ahead of the 2025 season. Under the terms of the tender, the Chargers will hold exclusive negotiating rights with Dobbins if he has not signed with another team by the start of training camp in July. If Dobbins remains with the Chargers, he is set to earn $3.428 million for the season.
Should Dobbins choose to sign with a different team before training camp opens, his contract will factor into the compensatory draft pick formula for both the Chargers and the new team. This tender move follows a similar strategy by the Cleveland Browns, who applied the UFA tender to wide receiver Elijah Moore.
Dobbins joined the Chargers last year after battling injuries that limited his playing time with the Baltimore Ravens. In his first season with Los Angeles, he carried the ball 195 times for 905 yards and nine touchdowns, finishing as a runner-up for the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year award. The Chargers have bolstered their backfield with the signing of Najee Harris and the drafting of Omarion Hampton, making Dobbins’ return a significant boost to their running back depth.
This tender reflects the Chargers’ intent to keep Dobbins in the fold while preserving flexibility should he explore offers from other teams during the offseason.
