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Los Angeles Chargers fans seem fairly hopeful, if not excited, about the scheme that new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel has installed. There should be more motion, more pace and more athleticism for the team on offense, and it should benefit several of its skill players.
Quarterback Justin Herbert is expected by many to have a big year statistically. This new offense could also benefit wide receiver Quentin Johnston, who has been seen as something of a disappointment to a certain extent in his first three NFL seasons.
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But another player who could see things open up for him in McDaniel’s new offense is running back Omarion Hampton. In fact, one analyst sees Hampton putting up very big numbers.
Douglas Clawson: Hampton will lead the NFL in rushing yards
May 19, 2026; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton (8) carries the ball during offseason workouts at The Bolt. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Douglas Clawson of CBS Sports gave one bold prediction for each of the NFL’s 32 teams in a recent article, and for the Chargers, he predicted that Hampton will win the league’s rushing title.
“Jim Harbaugh wants to run the ball,” Clawson wrote. “He doesn’t want to see Justin Herbert lit up for 50-60 sacks again, and he has Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater back, plus additions of Jake Slaughter, Tyler Biadasz and Cole Strange to the interior of the offensive line. That means Harbaugh is going to ride 2025 first-round pick Omarion Hampton to a rushing title.”
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While Biadasz won’t play this year due to an ACL injury that he suffered a couple of weeks ago, there is hope that Slaughter, a rookie center, and Strange will shore up the Bolts’ offensive line concerns.
Last season started with Najee Harris as the team’s No. 1 running back. But after Harris tore his Achilles in Week 3, Hampton stepped in and produced. While he himself missed seven games because of an ankle injury, he ended his rookie year with 545 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns on 124 carries, plus 192 receiving yards and one touchdown on 32 catches.
Even if he doesn’t do what Clawson predicted, the Chargers should still be able to run the football effectively thanks to their depth. Kimani Vidal had 643 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns in 2025, and he should be able to eat well in McDaniel’s new offense.
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Keaton Mitchell is slated to be the Chargers’ RB2. He’s currently out due to an undisclosed injury, but his speed and explosiveness should give McDaniel and head coach Jim Harbaugh another option in the backfield once he’s cleared to return.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Sep 3, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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