Sports betting fans of the San Diego Chargers received a shot in the arm on Thursday as the team decided to keep running back Darren Sproles. This is a reversal for the Chargers who had said they were going to let Sproles test the free agent market. Internet sports betting had the Chargers changing their mind and placing a first-and-third tender on Sproles.
Sports betting also had the Chargers declining the option on nose tackle Jamal Williams. The former Pro Bowl tackle was scheduled to earn $5 million this sports betting pro football season. He played in just one game last sports betting NFL season. The team also released running back Michael Bennett.
The big sports betting news though was the Chargers are keeping Sproles. They told him last week they would not keep him but they changed their mind and now Sproles will get $7.283 million next season. He made $6.62 million last season as sports betting numbers indicated. The Chargers are still hoping to sign Sproles to a long-term deal. The Chargers could have been worried since Sproles was receiving interest from Kansas City, St. Louis, Philadelphia and Washington. Those teams would now have to give up a first and third round pick to get Sproles and that is highly unlikely.
This has been the sports betting week that teams get ready for the free agent signing period. Teams have to tender offers to their players or let them become free agents. Internet sports betting had the Chargers placing the maximum tender on four other players, linebacker Shawne Merriman, tackle Marcus McNeill and wide receivers Vincent Jackson and Malcolm Floyd. The Chargers will not be bringing back Kassim Osgood, Jon Runyan and Dennis Norman.
Sproles was happy to be back with San Diego. “First, it’s San Diego,” he said. “Then it’s my teammates. The people in the locker room, that’s who I’m comfortable with. They know what I like to do; I know what they like to do.” Sproles only carried the ball 93 times for 343 yards last Internet sports betting NFL season. He had 45 catches for 497 yards as sports betting stats indicated. His biggest asset to the Chargers comes on punt and kick returns as he can break a long run at any moment. Whether he is worth almost $8 million in that role was the question for the Chargers and at least for next year the answer is yes.