There's a lot of eyes on the Chargers backfield heading into 2026.
Not only is there plenty of buzz for what Omarion Hampton can do in Mike McDaniel’s offense this upcoming season, but a recent addition has also caught the eye of pundits around the league.
CBS Sports' Jared Dubin listed out his most intriguing offensive additions in free agency so far with the first wave in the books — moves that could be game-changers because of how they change their new teams.
Among his list was none other than Keaton Mitchell, a running back that adds plenty of juice to the Chargers offense.
Mitchell is coming off a season where he totaled 400-plus yards from scrimmage and 5.8 yards per carry, a mark that was first among running backs with at least 50 carries last season.
Dubin wrote:
This is just a fun one for me. Mike McDaniel is better than almost anyone in the NFL at getting the ball to fast players in open spaces. Mitchell is one of the fastest players in the NFL, and during his career he has excelled at creating big plays with the ball in his hands. He's averaged over 6 yards per carry on 121 career totes, and his 14.9% explosive-run rate ranks first with a bullet among the 87 backs with 100 or more carries over the three years he's been in the league. (The next-closest player is only at a 12.7% rate.)
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with running back Keaton Mitchell on a multi-year contract.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with running back Keaton Mitchell on a multi-year contract.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with running back Keaton Mitchell on a multi-year contract.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with running back Keaton Mitchell on a multi-year contract.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with running back Keaton Mitchell on a multi-year contract.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with running back Keaton Mitchell on a multi-year contract.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with running back Keaton Mitchell on a multi-year contract.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with running back Keaton Mitchell on a multi-year contract.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with running back Keaton Mitchell on a multi-year contract.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with running back Keaton Mitchell on a multi-year contract.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with running back Keaton Mitchell on a multi-year contract.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with running back Keaton Mitchell on a multi-year contract.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with running back Keaton Mitchell on a multi-year contract.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with running back Keaton Mitchell on a multi-year contract.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with running back Keaton Mitchell on a multi-year contract.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with running back Keaton Mitchell on a multi-year contract.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with running back Keaton Mitchell on a multi-year contract.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with running back Keaton Mitchell on a multi-year contract.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with running back Keaton Mitchell on a multi-year contract.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with running back Keaton Mitchell on a multi-year contract.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with running back Keaton Mitchell on a multi-year contract.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with running back Keaton Mitchell on a multi-year contract.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with running back Keaton Mitchell on a multi-year contract.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with running back Keaton Mitchell on a multi-year contract.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with running back Keaton Mitchell on a multi-year contract.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with running back Keaton Mitchell on a multi-year contract.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with running back Keaton Mitchell on a multi-year contract.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with running back Keaton Mitchell on a multi-year contract.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with running back Keaton Mitchell on a multi-year contract.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with running back Keaton Mitchell on a multi-year contract.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with running back Keaton Mitchell on a multi-year contract.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with running back Keaton Mitchell on a multi-year contract.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with running back Keaton Mitchell on a multi-year contract.
Mitchell tallied 11 runs that went for 10-plus yards in 2025, according to Pro Football Focus, so he provides plenty of explosiveness to keep the chains moving.
Hampton remains the lead back after showing what he can do as a rookie, and Kimani Vidal also figures to have a role based the way he played during a strong 2025 season.
But adding in Mitchell's speed to the rotation in the backfield is something the analyst can't wait to see.
Dubin wrote:
The Chargers have a quality power back in Omarion Hampton and another viable option in Kimani Vidal, but if his career history is any indication, McDaniel is going to value what Mitchell brings to the table, and that's going to be of great benefit for the Los Angeles offense, which has generally lacked for explosive playmakers during the Justin Herbert era.
