Running back J.K. Dobbins is on the move again.
Last season, the talented but oft-injured running back joined the Los Angeles Chargers, where he experienced a significant career resurgence. Dobbins, whose 2022 and 2023 campaigns were cut short by big injuries, managed to get on the field for 13 games in 2024. He rushed for 905 yards and nine scores with the Chargers, while also hauling in 32 passes on 38 targets.
Despite this, Dobbins will line up with the Chargers' archrivals, the Denver Broncos, in 2025. According to Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, Dobbins signed a one-year, $5.25 million deal with the team on Wednesday.
New #Broncos RB JK Dobbins is an IMMEDIATE floor raiser and a great pickup for #BroncosCountry pic.twitter.com/fKCxlxt5U0
— Andy (@AndyyNFL) June 10, 2025
In Denver, Dobbins joins a crowded but unsettled running backs room. The Broncos return Audric Estime, Jaleel McLaughlin, Blake Watson, and Tyler Badie, all of whom had carries for the team last year. Yet, the team's rushing leader was actually Javonte Williams, whose carries (139) and rushing yards (513) were far below Dobbins' workload. Williams departed the team for the Dallas Cowboys, creating the need for another veteran back.
Dobbins is sure to be a welcome sight in Denver.
"(Dobbins) was one of the running backs who had one of the better games against us last year, so I'm super excited," said Broncos safety Brandon Jones.
Sean Payton, who would not confirm any reports of the agreement after yesterday's minicamp practice, likely feels the same way. A steady rushing game would go a long way to aid the development of second-year quarterback Bo Nix. Nix surprised league observers last year with a steady improvement throughout his rookie season, but the team knows it needs to make a big jump to compete with the juggernaut Kansas City Chiefs in the crowded AFC West.
Taking a weapon from a rival and making it your own is a great way to start.
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The ongoing saga with the NFL Players Association has taken another turn, as the organization is also reportedly the subject of a federal investigation. ESPN's Don Van Natta Jr. and Kalyn Kahler reported on Friday that there is an ongoing criminal investigation involving the NFLPA regarding potential misuse of funds and self-enrichment of union officials. A senior union attorney sent a memo to NFLPA officials this week informing them of the federal probe. The document states that the NFLPA is "now on notice of financial actions that may be criminal" and that the union faces "immediate threats requiring prompt actions," according to ESPN. While the document did not specify which individuals are part of the criminal investigation, the notice was sent days after executive director Lloyd Howell Jr. and director of strategy J.C. Tretter resigned from their positions with the NFLPA. Howell was accused of misusing union funds and faced other troubling allegations. Tretter resigned because he felt like he was left to take the heat for the scandal that has been unfolding, though he has denied any wrongdoing. The NFLPA is searching for an interim executive director. ESPN reports that the memo sent to union officials this week warns that potentially hiring an outside executive director might not be a wise move without knowing exactly how deep "the problems may be." Howell was the executive director of the NFLPA for two years.
The New York Mets are a half-game ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies for first place in the NL East, but their pitching staff is still injury-ravaged despite the recent returns of Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas. Brandon Waddell (hip), Dedniel Nuñez (elbow), Max Kranick (flexor), Paul Blackburn (shoulder), Tylor Megill (elbow), Griffin Canning (Achilles), Drew Smith (elbow), A.J. Minter (lat), Danny Young (elbow), and Christian Scott (elbow) are alll on the Mets' IL. The MLB Trade Deadline is July 31 at 6 p.m. EST, so the front office has one week to add healthy arms from around the league this season. ESPN's David Schoenfield predicted on Thursday that New York would trade for a Minnesota Twins reliever. "One guarantee of the trade deadline: The Mets will add to the bullpen, probably with more than one trade. Though the rotation still ranks fifth in ERA, that was built off a hot start," he wrote. "More importantly, the only Mets starter to complete six innings since June 7 has been David Peterson. As a result, manager Carlos Mendoza has run relievers Reed Garrett, Huascar Brazoban, Jose Butto and Ryne Stanek into the ground. The bullpen had a 2.78 ERA through May, but that figure is over 5.00 since the beginning of June (ranking near the bottom of the majors)." "The Twins have two high-profile relievers in [Jhoan] Duran and [Griffin] Jax, both of whom are under team control through 2027, so they'll be much more expensive than your usual short-term relievers if the Twins decide to trade one or both," he continued. "Duran would be harder to deal -- but bring more in return -- so we'll say Jax will go. Don't be fooled by his 4.09 ERA: He has 68 strikeouts and 12 walks in 44 innings with a 97-mph heater. He's an elite strikeout reliever, the type you want on the mound in October." The Mets are hot despite their injuries, as they're on a four-game winning streak and just swept the Los Angeles Angels. Next up is a road trip against the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres. New York right-handed pitcher Clay Holmes (8-5, 3.48 ERA) will face Giants right-hander Logan Webb (9-7, 3.08 ERA) on Friday.
According to some, throw out the idea that the Edmonton Oilers should pursue Max Pacioretty. A veteran forward who has earned over $63 million over the course of his NHL career has yet to sign an NHL contract and was recently mentioned in a post by David Staples as a possible fit. In a recent post, the Journal noted, “All of the top NHL unrestricted free agents have already signed contracts, but there’s one big name player still available that makes good sense for the Edmonton Oilers to pursue.” Responses have been varied, with a few quite vocal about the Oilers not following Staples’ advice. “In what world does this make sense?????” writes a commenter on a recent post for The Hockey Writers. Another commenter wrote, “Pacioretty is a good journeyman player but he is injury prone now, late in his career. Oilers might be lucky to get 40 games out of him. They should look elsewhere instead of taking a chance on Patches.” Tyler Yaremchuk of Oilers Nation chimed in and said, “He scored five goals in 37 games last year with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Can’t stay healthy, very old, very slow.” Yaremchuk then went on a rant, listing several Oilers forwards who would be better than Pacioretty. What About Pacioretty on a PTO? Is there any reason that a team that is looking to get younger and faster, and move out depth pieces that were older and less productive than expected, would revert back to last summer’s strategy? It seems like an odd choice on the surface. Something would have to happen that would make giving Pacioretty a look risk-free. That means only a PTO. Even at that point, should he agree, it would require him to be willing to sign a two-way contract for the league minimum.
The Chicago White Sox are one of this year’s sellers for the Trade Deadline, and should have a good chance at landing a deal that can make them more competitive next season. The White Sox have two names who will surely be on the move at this deadline: Adrian Houser and Luis Robert Jr. With the deadline less than a week away, the White Sox appear to have begun trading some players away, with the first domino falling. Chicago White Sox traded quad-A outfielder to the Rays The first domino of what should be a fire sale fell for the White Sox, with Baseball Insider Robert Murray reporting that the Tampa Bay Rays acquired 29-year-old outfielder Tristan Gray in exchange for cash considerations. The White Sox signed Gray to a minor league contract before the season, with him spending most of the season down with their Triple-A affiliate. “Sources: The Rays are acquiring infielder Tristan Gray from the White Sox for cash.” Gray, in 72 games with the Charlotte Knights, did well, hitting .270/.333/.472 for an OPS of .805. The White Sox did call Gray up to their big league roster for a day, but he was optioned the following day upon Luis Robert Jr. coming off the IL. Nailing this deadline The White Sox and general manager Chris Getz need to nail their trades at this deadline to put the team in a more competitive position next year. The White Sox have found their core and need to add players who can help round out the roster. With guys like Colson Montgomery and Kyle Teel showing promise in the big leagues, and Noah Schultz, Hagen Smith, and Braden Montgomery still waiting in the wings, the White Sox are proving not to be reckoned with for the future.
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