Despite being a fill-in starter for RB Omarion Hampton last season, the latest Los Angeles Chargers trade rumors suggest the team could move on from Kimani Vidal. According to Moe Moton of Bleacher Report, he believes the Chargers should trade their backup RB after signing Keaton Mitchell this offseason, while hiring new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. Selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, the former Troy product was waived last year as part of the final roster cuts. The team quickly re-signed him to the practice squad the next day, and this could be the route they could take if they want to keep him.
However, after training camp, it shouldn’t be surprising to see this RB generate trade interest. The team didn’t have high expectations for Vidal after Hampton went down with an injury. Although he didn’t have a Pro Bowl season, he’s proven that he could be a high-caliber starter elsewhere one day. Would the former sixth-round pick take a backup role? That would probably be the move for the RB, who is looking for a home that would give him more opportunities.
Chargers Trade Rumors: Bolts Urged to Dump 600-Yard Breakout Asset
So What Now?
At this stage, it’s safe to say that Vidal won’t be a part of the Chargers before Week 1 of the 2026 regular season. McDaniel is installing his new scheme, which favors Mitchell, and they’re not moving Hampton anytime soon. However, Moton revealed that it would take a late-round pick for the RB, but they could use this to their advantage and get another low-stakes player. If they can’t figure that out, they should be asking for a fourth-round pick minimum since someone like Vidal is like finding a diamond in the rough.
Potential Trade Destinations
Dallas Cowboys
Even though Dallas re-signed Javonte Williams to a long-term extension, the RB group behind him is a bit wary. Jaydon Blue is the safest downhill runner in this unit, but it’s still a toss-up between Malik Davis and Phil Mafah. This means one or the other might land on the practice squad if not claimed by another team before Week 1. Davis may win the backup job, but it can’t compensate for what Williams would need.
Vidal would be the perfect complementary option and serve as a pass-catcher/runner and benefit this offense that could use two young stars in the backfield.
Carolina Panthers
Meanwhile, the Carolina Panthers are set at the RB position, but after losing Rico Dowdle in free agency, it means they could eye a new backup. Jonathon Brooks is returning from a season-ending injury last offseason, so the team can’t afford to rush him too soon. Trevor Etienne is on the younger side and won’t be ready for a large workload behind Chuba Hubbard.
This means the Panthers might be willing to trade for Vidal, who could be another Dowdle-type back and ready for a bigger role in Carolina. Last season, the team lost Hubbard for a few games, which Dowdle took advantage of. The Chargers RB could do the same here with the Panthers and might find a starting role elsewhere.
New Orleans Saints
With Alvin Kamara still on the trade block, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the New Orleans Saints actively shopping him during NFL Training Camp. After signing Travis Etienne, the Saints are in good shape to rebuild, but could use a long-term asset like Vidal to continue the new regime momentum. The Saints sending Kamara for Vidal and a sixth-round pick sounds like a good trade for both sides.
Kamara joins a contender, while Vidal gets a chance to pair with Etienne and learn in a newer system under Kellen Moore.
