Broncos have already learned what Chargers failed to figure out about J.K. Dobbins

The J.K. Dobbins experiment never quite worked out for the Los Angeles Chargers. After an electric start to the 2024 season, the running back struggled to get anything going late in the year. The team chose to let him walk in free agency, instead choosing to invest a first-round pick in another attempt to fix the position.

Three weeks into the 2025 season, the former Chargers back is already changing the narrative around him, and he's doing it in the most frustrating way possible.

Dobbins has quickly become the lead running back for the Denver Broncos, proving that he can be both explosive and consistent in the right environment.

Chargers clearly missed the mark with J.K. Dobbins trial

If you take out the home-run carries from the first few games of the 2024 campaign, Dobbins was an average back at best. He was near the top of the league in explosive run rate, but got tackled for a loss on nearly 10% of his carries. His rushing success rate of 42.6% was significantly below average. The narrative coming off the season was that the back could make highlight-worthy plays at times, but that he wasn't consistent enough to be a full-time starter in the NFL.

The Chargers certainly agreed, as they spent a first-round pick and decent money in free agency to replace him. But, at least so far this season, it's looking like they were the problem all along.

Dobbins has burst onto the scene with the Broncos, leading a strong rushing attack. His rushing success rate of 53% currently ranks second among all AFC running backs, behind only Jonathan Taylor. He's averaging 5.4 yards per carry, nearly a full yard more than he averaged with the Chargers last season.

The back's abilities were on full display this weekend, as he carried the ball 11 times for 83 yards against his former team. He took over on one drive early in the third quarter, helping his team all the way down the field and finishing it off with his third touchdown of the year.

He's thriving behind the Broncos' talented offensive line. Denver has quality starters at tackle and on the interior, while the Chargers have been weak on the interior.

Meanwhile, the Chargers are struggling to find consistency on the ground. They rank in the bottom half of the NFL in rushing yards per game. Los Angeles has still been able to get off to a perfect start to the season thanks to MVP-caliber performances from Justin Herbert, but this rushing attack will need to improve significantly as the year progresses. Especially with Najee Harris injured, it would be nice to still have Dobbins around.