2012 NFL Free Agents: San Diego Chargers Must Attempt to Re-Sign Mike Tolbert

After what was a disappointing, utmost sour season for the San Diego Chargers, it might have gotten that much worse for this Chargers team since the end of the season.

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, backup RB Mike Tolbert is expected to test the free-agent market this offseason after both he and the team were unable to agree on a long-term contract that Tolbert had wished for.

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"Now he will likely hit the market, meaning the Chargers are not entirely in control of how much he’ll cost or if he’ll remain."

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In spite of having the misfortune of playing backup to RB Ryan Mathews in the 2011-2012 season, Tolbert has been a talent who has gone far under the radar in San Diego.

The fact that he has hit the free-agent market is a big-time advantage for the rest of the league and a serious detriment for this Chargers team.

What makes Tolbert such a valuable back is in his ability to make plays using his bursts of speed and elusive moves to pick up yards on the ground. This season, Tolbert picked up 4.1 yards per carry and picked up 490 yards on the ground as well as 433 yards receiving.

Despite boasting just under half of the yards Ryan Mathews had on the season, he also had just 22 yards less than Mathews receiving.

His value to this team in the screen game is arguably just as significant or even more significant than that of Matthews' out of the back field.

Much like Darren Sproles was for this team several seasons ago, Tolbert is a strong back who the team must keep on the sidelines going forward. His ability to run the ball effectively with his carries as well as produce in the screen game will be vital for QB Philip Rivers and the offense next season.

Not to mention, as Mathews has had several injuries in two years with the team, it will be important for the Chargers to have a promising backup to look to in a situation where Mathews goes down.

As Tolbert is expected to hit the market, the Chargers have to hope other teams don't set offers that will be too difficult to match.

Not having Tolbert next season could mean issues for the Chargers next season, as they give up both a significant screen-game weapon and solid go-to backup running back.