A sixth-round pick in 2024 who spent time on the practice squad before being elevated when Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris both went down with injuries, Vidal responded with 643 rushing yards, three touchdowns, and a 4.1 yards-per-carry average across 13 appearances, including three 100-yard games.
The Los Angeles Chargers rewarded him with an exclusive rights tender in March, locking him in for 2026 at a $1.075 million cap hit.
Then they signed Keaton Mitchell from Baltimore, bringing in the speedy former Ravens back as a change-of-pace option alongside Hampton's expected return to the starting role.
That depth chart reshuffling, combined with the arrival of offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, who favors speed and versatility at the position, has put Vidal's RB2 role directly in question and made him one of the more discussed trade candidates on a roster full of them.
Why the Market Exists
Sportsnaut's Matt Johnson was among the first to identify Vidal as a viable trade candidate heading into the draft, noting that the 2026 NFL Draft class was unusually thin at running back and that Vidal's affordable contract made him an ideal acquisition for any team needing a reliable backup without committing a high pick.
STEAL
— Polymarket Football (@PolymarketBlitz) April 14, 2026
The Chargers have re-signed Kimani Vidal to a 1-year, $1 million deal.
Games with 15+ touches in 2025:
138 yards
127 yards
108 yards
137 yards
104 yards
Underrated. pic.twitter.com/pa1IkWDWyy
Bleacher Report's Moe Moton named Vidal as the Chargers' most logical trade chip in his team-by-team trade candidate series, with the reasoning centered on McDaniel's system preferences and the organizational reality that Hampton plus Mitchell already covers what the offense needs on the ground.
Vidal would cost a fifth- or sixth-round pick by most estimates, which is a modest price for a back who has demonstrated genuine production in a complementary role.
The Teams Watching
Four teams have surfaced most consistently in the Vidal trade conversation.
The Green Bay Packers could use him alongside Josh Jacobs, adding youth and versatility behind their veteran starter.
The Minnesota Vikings have Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason returning but have not ruled out additions at the position.
Seeing lots of Omarion Hampton won’t get a full RB1 workload.
— Sean Mitchell (@smitchell17) March 20, 2026
- Kimani Vidal was basically a camp roster cut last year before being their last result
- Keaton Mitchell isn’t a receiving back and hasn’t been used as one either (props to @Hoohames_FF for pointing this out on…
The New York Giants have no established starter behind Cam Skattebo following his ankle injury and need a reliable ground presence alongside Jaxson Dart.
The Carolina Panthers lost Rico Dowdle and have the thinnest running back room in the NFC South, making Vidal an affordable and immediately impactful upgrade at minimal cost.
None of these conversations have been confirmed as advanced, and the Chargers have not been reported as actively shopping him.
Photo Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
