Report: Gus Edwards Released By Chargers After 1 Season, Will Enter NFL Free Agency

Running back Gus Edwards is set to hit to hit free agency after one season with the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Chargers have informed Edwards he will be released, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Friday.

The Chargers signed Edwards to a two-year deal last March. He is now set to become a free agent when the new league year begins next Wednesday.

Edwards sat out four weeks in the middle of the season, as well as the Chargers' last two games, due to ankle issues.

Despite being limited to 11 games by injury, Edwards ranked second on the Chargers' roster with 365 rushing yards and four touchdowns.

He returned for the postseason, where he contributed 22 yards on seven carries in the Chargers' Wild Card loss to the Houston Texans.

Injuries have been an issue for Edwards, who missed the entire 2021 season due to torn ACL. He could still be targeted by teams looking to bolster their backfield depth this offseason.

Releasing Edwards leaves behind just over $1 million in dead cap while freeing up about $3 million in cap space, per Spotrac.

The Chargers are facing an empty running back room with J.K. Dobbins currently unsigned. Spotrac noted the team is currently set to spend a total of just $3.1 million in cap space on the position:

The Chargers could still decide to bring back Dobbins, who proved his RB1 capabilities by rushing for 905 yards and nine touchdowns in his first season in Los Angeles.

Other top free agent running backs include the Minnesota Vikings' Aaron Jones and Pittsburgh Steelers' Najee Harris.

The Chargers could also decide to address the position with the No. 22 selection of the upcoming draft. Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson, a top-50 prospect on the latest B/R 2025 NFL Draft Big Board, could still be available at the pick.