Trevor Penning was the only addition the LA Chargers made at the trade deadline, but trading for him wasn't the biggest gamble the Bolts took. Trading for Penning was the equivalent of betting a nickel at a $5 blackjack table; Los Angeles' biggest gamble was more like staying with a 12 against a dealer's face card.
The Chargers opted not to add any running back help at the deadline, instead putting faith in second-year running back Kimani Vidal. Vidal has had an up-and-down tenure, and with Omarion Hampton still on the shelf, it seemed inevitable that the Chargers would add running back help.
But it wasn't inevitable. The Chargers stood pat and Vidal proved them right for doing so on Sunday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Vidal proved to be a steady presence for the Bolts, carrying the ball 25 times for 95 yards with a touchdown. He added 13 yards on one reception.
Kimani Vidal justifies Chargers' decision to not trade for a running back
Jim Harbaugh previously said Kimani Vidal is playing like a true No. 1 running back and he certainly looked the part on Sunday night. There wasn't one huge breakout run that carried the numbers and it wasn't a highlight-reel night for the young back. It was a methodical, effective night that allowed the Chargers to open up the passing game when they needed.
It's hard to imagine any other running back coming to the Bolts and instantly having this kind of game. Vidal knows the system and has earned the trust of the coaching staff. On Sunday, he undoubtedly added to that trust.
And this isn't to say that we should have seen it coming. Heck, even we pounded the table for some kind of running back trade, even if it was for another rotational option like Jerome Ford. That ultimately would have been a waste of draft capital.
Vidal can more than handle the load while Hampton recovers from a high-ankle sprain, which won't take much longer. The rookie running back is expected back after the bye, which gives Vidal just one more game as the featured No. 1 back.
That game is against the Jacksonville Jaguars, who don't necessarily strike fear in anyone after blowing a three-score fourth-quarter lead to the Houston Texans. Vidal has proven he can be the staple back for another game, and he is more than capable of being the 1B behind Hampton's 1A.
The Chargers didn't let some bad showings ruin their patience. General manager Joe Hortiz stayed true in his belief in Vidal and it paid off on Sunday. And by doing so, Hortiz also saved a draft pick in the process.
Sometimes the best move for a team is the move it didn't make. That's certainly the case for the Chargers and the running back position.