JK Dobbins - Will he be Back?

[rensoul]

I think it would be more than a good idea to bring him back... 1-2 Punch.

This draft is thought of to be very deep at RB. I don't think the vet market for RB will heat up until after the draft for teams that didn't get their guy. A team like the Broncos might be an exception because their backfield is already very young and they may prefer a vet presence as a lead back.

[Ghost of Quacksaw]

Not a good sign...maybe Dobbsie was asking for too much $$$ after we helped him resurrect his career...happens...

Can you clarify? It sounds like you're saying that J.K.Dobbins owed the team a low ball contract because they took a chance on him last year.

[Boltdiehard]

We all love Dobbins but I respect the approach from Hortiz despite feelz.

[Topcat]

Can you clarify? It sounds like you're saying that J.K.Dobbins owed the team a low ball contract because they took a chance on him last year.

If Dobbins thinks he's worth a certain amount, he's entitled to do that...but he still hasn't been signed yet, which makes me think a lot of teams are hesitating, especially given his injury history and/or his salary requirements...he'll probably sign with someone, but maybe after the draft...we'll see...

[Ghost of Quacksaw]

This draft is thought of to be very deep at RB. I don't think the vet market for RB will heat up until after the draft for teams that didn't get their guy. A team like the Broncos might be an exception because their backfield is already very young and they may prefer a vet presence as a lead back.

The bolded, exactly.

We'll see what the Bolts' RB situation looks like AFTER the draft. If the right RB didn't fall to the Chargers, then Dobbins might still be an option.

It's just business.

[Ghost of Quacksaw]

If Dobbins thinks he's worth a certain amount, he's entitled to do that...but he still hasn't been signed yet, which makes me think a lot of teams are hesitating, especially given his injury history and/or his salary requirements...he'll probably sign with someone, but maybe after the draft...we'll see...

The above is much more thoughtful than your original post, which strongly implied that Dobbins' not signing a contract with the Chargers "on the cheap" was evidence that he was ungrateful.

Player and team may not be the right fit for each other at this particular point in time, and that doesn't have to be anybody's fault. I immensely appreciate what Dobbins brought to the Chargers last year, and wish him the best in the future, as long as he doesn't sign elsewhere within the AFC West. (I mean, I'm fair, but I have my limits!)

IMO, Dobbins deserves our appreciation, as opposed to being viewed as selfish and unappreciative. He was a breath of fresh air and did some memorable things behind a suspect O-line.

And with the draft class being relatively deep with RBs, I can see where Joe Hortiz would want to see if he can find the 'right guy' in the draft before making any commitments with Dobbins. Why? Less because of Dobbins' injury history than because the right rookie RB will have a much more cap friendly contract than Dobbins.

Likewise, I can see where Dobbins would prefer to wait until the dust from the draft has settled before deciding where his next NFL stop will be. Post draft, he'll have a much clearer picture of the role he'll have with his next team.

[Topcat]

The above is much more thoughtful than your original post, which strongly implied that Dobbins' not signing a contract with the Chargers "on the cheap" was evidence that he was ungrateful.

Player and team may not be the right fit for each other at this particular point in time, and that doesn't have to be anybody's fault. I immensely appreciate what Dobbins brought to the Chargers last year, and wish him the best in the future, as long as he doesn't sign elsewhere within the AFC West. (I mean, I'm fair, but I have my limits!)

IMO, Dobbins deserves our appreciation, as opposed to being viewed as selfish and unappreciative. He was a breath of fresh air and did some memorable things behind a suspect O-line.

And with the draft class being relatively deep with RBs, I can see where Joe Hortiz would want to see if he can find the 'right guy' in the draft before making any commitments with Dobbins. Why? Less because of Dobbins' injury history than because the right rookie RB will have a much more cap friendly contract than Dobbins.

Likewise, I can see where Dobbins would prefer to wait until the dust from the draft has settled before deciding where his next NFL stop will be. Post draft, he'll have a much clearer picture of the role he'll have with his next team.

Good points...it may be that Dobbins gets a better offer from a losing team and a roster in chaos, then compares it with a slightly lesser offer from a team with a real chance to win and may take the latter...a lot of variables here at play...

[Riverwalk]

I love Dobbins but nobody is paying him $7.3M. He will be fortunate to get half that considering how deep this draft is in quality RB’s.

Najee’s base is $5.8M.

[Ghost of Quacksaw]

I love Dobbins but nobody is paying him $7.3M. He will be fortunate to get half that considering how deep this draft is in quality RB’s.

Najee’s base is $5.8M.

???

Where'd that figure come from? I hadn't seen any numbers regarding what Dobbins was looking to get.

[Steve]

It's the market value from sportrac or OTC. Just because they rank a player value doesn't mean that NFL use the same model/regression to value players.

I have heard that Dobbins was hoping that he had earned a bigger deal after last season. Well, it takes two to come to an agreement. The team makes an offer, then the player needs to accept.

The other thing players need to remember is that what they do last year (2024) really doesn't matter. It is what they are going to produce this season (2025), that is driving the salary. If the Chargers think that Dobbins is not going to be able to sustain his production, then they aren't going to pay him that valuation. Since we sign Najee, another RB is not going to have great production. Lack of opportunity if nothing else.

[Ghost of Quacksaw]

Good points...it may be that Dobbins gets a better offer from a losing team and a roster in chaos, then compares it with a slightly lesser offer from a team with a real chance to win and may take the latter...a lot of variables here at play...

If you ever run into Dobbins? You owe him an apology for disparaging his character by calling him ungrateful, with zero evidence. Oh, and let him know I said "Hi".

[Topcat]

If you ever run into Dobbins? You owe him an apology for disparaging his character by calling him ungrateful, with zero evidence. Oh, and let him know I said "Hi".

My original quote was not that I called him ungrateful, but this:

image.png
My intention, maybe not phrased all that well, was that after a couple of injury-plagued seasons, his season with the Bolts really showed his talents, and helped improve his stock in his next contract. I was hoping the Bolts could work out a deal with him, especially since Dobbins should have seen that the Chargers is really a good situation for him, better than a lot of teams. But alas, looks like he may be moving on, which is understandable...maybe he still comes back...if I do happen to run into him, I'll pass on your greeting, and say something like, "EYE WANT YOOOOUUU TO COME BACK!!!"