Cowboys Sign Former Chargers RB J.K. Dobbins as New RB1: A Game-Changer for 2025?

March 18, 2025 – The Dallas Cowboys have made a splash in free agency, signing former Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins to take the reins as their RB1 for the 2025 season. After a lackluster 7-10 campaign in 2024 with the NFL’s sixth-worst rushing attack (100.3 yards/game), Jerry Jones is betting big on the explosive 26-year-old to revive “America’s Team.”

Dobbins, who burst onto the scene with 1,006 yards and 8 touchdowns in 14 games for the Chargers in 2024, inked a 2-year, $22 million deal with $12 million guaranteed, per sources close to the team. The move comes after the Cowboys lost Rico Dowdle (1,079 yards in 2024) to the Carolina Panthers and opted to bolster their backfield with Dobbins’ speed and power.

“Dobbins brings a spark we’ve been missing,” Jones said. “He’s young, hungry, and ready to carry this offense.” Despite an injury-riddled past (ACL tear in 2021, Achilles in 2023), Dobbins proved his worth last season, averaging 4.8 yards per carry and earning a spot among the NFL’s top-10 rushers before a late MCL sprain.

Paired with Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, Dobbins could transform a Cowboys offense that leaned too heavily on passing in 2024. Fan reaction on X is electric: “Dobbins at RB1? Cowboys just went from pretenders to contenders!” But with his injury history, some wonder—can he stay healthy for a full season?

With Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders already signed as depth, Dobbins steps in as the clear starter. Cowboys Nation is buzzing: Is this the missing piece for a Super Bowl run, or another risky gamble by Jerry?