Chargers reportedly set to add Edwards, Dissly to their offense
The Chargers wasted no time addressing one of their top priorities in free agency while taking advantage of the Harbaughto-Harbaugh connection by agreeing with former Baltimore Ravens running back Gus Edwards on a two-year, $6.5 million contract, according to reports Monday.
Edwards, 28, spent the past five seasons playing for coach John Harbaugh with the Ravens, rushing for career highs of 810 yards on 198 carries and 13 touchdowns in 17 games during the 2023 season. He will join Harbaugh's younger brother, Jim, the new coach of the Chargers.
In addition, the Chargers agreed to sign former Seattle Seahawks tight end Will Dissly to a three-year, $14 million contract with $10 million guaranteed in the first two seasons, according to reports. Dissly, 27, is more of a blocker than a playmaker, having caught only 13 touchdown passes in six seasons.
Dissly would give the Chargers dramatically improved blocking up front, something they lacked with Gerald Everett at the position this past season. Everett is set to become a free agent. Dissly caught 17 passes for 172 yards and one touchdown in 16 games with Seattle last season.
Edwards will be reunited with former Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman, hired by Jim Harbaugh to replace the departed Kellen Moore on Feb. 8, and General Manager Joe Hortiz, who had been with Baltimore since 1998 until he was hired to replace Tom Telesco on Jan. 30.
In five seasons with the Ravens, Gus Edwards rushed for 3,395 yards and 26 touchdowns.
Running back was one of the Chargers' top needs going into free agency, which began when the so-called tampering window opened on Monday. With running backs Austin Ekeler and Joshua Kelley headed for free agency, the Chargers were in need of at least one replacement at the position.
Ekeler reportedly will sign with the Washington Commanders.
Players can officially sign freeagent contracts on Wednesday at 1 p.m..
The Chargers also must address needs at center, with the retirement of veteran Corey Linsley because of a heart ailment, and cornerback with Michael Davis hitting the free-agent market. Safety Alohi Gilman re-signed with the Chargers for two years and $11 million, according to agent Kenny Zuckerman.
However, the Chargers' ground game was a glaring weakness during the past few seasons, but especially during the 2023 season. Ekeler gained 628 yards on 179 carries with five touchdowns in 14 games. Kelley, his backup, had 405 yards on 107 carries with two touchdowns in 17 games.
The Chargers averaged only 3.8 yards per attempt last season, 27th in the NFL. Their inability to pair an effective running game with the passing of standout quarterback Justin Herbert was one big reason they finished the season 5-12 and prompted the firing of Telesco and Brandon Staley as coach.
“Can you imagine Justin Herbert with a great running game?” Roman asked reporters during his introductory press conference last month.
Edwards, listed at 6-foot-1 and 238 pounds, is a bigger back than Ekeler, who is 5-10, 200. Edwards' addition won't solve all the Chargers' rushing problems by himself, however. They must sign a replacement for Linsley, who missed all but three games after his heart condition was diagnosed in September.
Will Clapp, Linsley's replacement last season, is headed to free agency.
“We want to be a balanced offense,” Roman said. “We want to run it when we want to run it and throw it when we want to throw it. We want to be able to run it at a high level. Every place I've been, that's been the goal, to have a complete attack. … We're just moving forward, putting together an offense that has an identity. We want to have a strong, powerful identity. That's what we're working on.”