Chargers Free Agency: Mike Tolbert Expected To Hit The Market

The San Diego Chargers have a handful of free agents who were big contributors to their team over the past few seasons. One of those pending free agents is back-up running back Mike Tolbert -- the bane of fantasy footballers as a touchdown vulture -- who was a big asset for the Chargers in the redzone with 19 touchdowns across the past two season. Tolbert is expected to hit the open market, according to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Yes, Tolbert appears headed for the market. The Chargers and his side have talked but gotten nowhere. Word is that Ray Rice, Matt Forte and Marshawn Lynch will be franchised if long-term deals are not reached. That leaves Tolbert, whose 19 touchdowns over the past two seasons rank seventh in the NFL, as arguably the best available back. The Chargers will likely go looking for a veteran such as Cadillac Williams to back up Ryan Mathews. Michael Bush, who they tried to get via trade a few years ago, is also a possibility.

Tolbert, who played behind first-round pick Ryan Mathews, was valuable for the Chargers as a change of pace compared to Darren Sproles. While more of a power back, Tolbert picked up 1,225 rushing yards and 649 receiving yards over the past two seasons. As Acee notes, the Chargers will be looking to potentially replace Tolbert in free agency with another veteran running back.