As disappointing as the 2025 season was for the Los Angeles Chargers, it also carried a number of surprising emergences and storylines.
Perhaps the most exciting among these was the emergence of RB Kimani Vidal, who took on a major role in the absence of Omarion Hampton after beginning the year on the practice squad. Of course, the Chargers would've liked to have their two main backs, Hampton and Najee Harris, available. But Vidal provided a strong substitute, helping keep Los Angeles' run game alive with and without Hampton on the field.
Now, though, as Hampton returns and the Chargers add free-agent signing Keaton Mitchell to the fold, there's room to doubt what Vidal's role will be moving forward.
In that sense, Moe Moton at Bleacher Report's suggestion that Vidal could be a trade candidate for the Chargers in 2026 is reasonable, at least on the surface. But unless Vidal is totally sidelined, Los Angeles cannot afford to even entertain the notion.
Kimani Vidal could still come to play an integral role for the Chargers in 2026
Here's what Moton had to say about Vidal's case as a trade candidate:
"Vidal led the Chargers with 643 rushing yards for the 2025 season, averaging a respectable 4.1 yards per carry. However, the Chargers signed running back Keaton Mitchell and hired offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, who favors speed at the skill positions... If Vidal falls out of favor in McDaniel's offense, the Chargers may look to deal him to a team that needs to bolster its backfield committee."
As solid as Vidal was in 2025, certain elements of Moton's argument hold water. In Mike McDaniel's outside zone-heavy scheme, speed and burst will always be the primary tools that a running back needs. Both Hampton and Mitchell, as dynamic rushers, are better-suited to earn the trust of McDaniel.
Vidal, meanwhile, is more of a downhill back. He has the size and the strength to gain consistent ground between the tackles, but his upside as a speed-rusher is somewhat limited. If we get closer to the end of the season, and Vidal has truly been sidelined from the offense, maybe we can revisit this argument.
But in the meantime, Vidal still has a chance to be an important contributor for the Chargers in 2026. As much as the team clearly plans to lean into McDaniel's approach, neither Hampton nor Mitchell has truly proved themselves as a red-zone threat. Vidal has the size and the downhill abilities to provide a change of pace to their run game.
Los Angeles also knows how quickly injuries can derail plans. Hampton played just nine games during his rookie campaign, and Mitchell has never seen more than 60 rushing attempts in a season.
As long as the Chargers are still going to be a run-heavy team, Vidal has a place on the offense.
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