{"id":652618,"date":"2026-05-07T00:12:12","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T00:12:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/652618\/"},"modified":"2026-05-07T00:12:12","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T00:12:12","slug":"mike-mcdaniel-makes-chargers-omarion-hampton-silent-threat-for-top-nfl-honors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/652618\/","title":{"rendered":"Mike McDaniel Makes Chargers\u2019 Omarion Hampton Silent Threat for Top NFL Honors"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s a little odd, but Los Angeles Chargers<\/a> running back Omarion Hampton has seemingly fallen all the way off the radar.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Hampton, the No. 22 pick just one year ago, averaged 4.4 yards per carry with four scores over nine appearances as a rookie. He looked dominant at times, but missed a chunk of the campaign due to injury. When on the field, he had to play behind a miserable offensive line missing two starting tackles and an interior that got completely replaced after the season.\u00a0<\/p>\n

One would think that Mike McDaniel\u2019s arrival as offensive coordinator<\/a> would earn Hampton some hype. But the conversations seem to overlook him, focusing on Justin Herbert\u2019s ceiling and what it might mean for Quentin Johnston\u2019s career<\/a>. McDaniel got a shiny new weapon<\/a> in the draft.\u00a0<\/p>\n

But, if we slow down and really look at things, Hampton quietly might be the biggest winner of the whole McDaniel thing.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Omarion Hampton boosted by Mike McDaniel\u2026to NFL rushing title?\"Los<\/p>\n

Omarion Hampton | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

The Chargers are, after all, a Jim Harbaugh team. And Jim Harbaugh teams, no matter how flashy the coordinator might be, like to pound the rock on offense.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Now that things have slowed down post-draft, Hampton is popping back up in the spotlight.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Bleacher Report\u2019s\u00a0Moe Moton<\/a>, for example, speculated that Hampton could be a quiet contender for a rushing title in 2026, especially when considering McDaniel\u2019s background.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cMcDaniel is a former run game coordinator,\u201d Moton wrote. \u201cAs the Miami Dolphins’ play-calling head coach, he fielded the No. 6 rushing offense in 2023. Last year, his Dolphins averaged 158 rushing yards through seven contests between Weeks 10 and 17.\u201d<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no major threat to Hampton\u2019s snap counts. Kimani Vidal proved he was a capable three-down backup last year, but he\u2019s not going to bump the sophomore off the field. Keaton Mitchell came over in free agency but is a change-of-pace back, tops.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This isn\u2019t just about McDaniel, either. Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater will be back at the tackle spots. Tyler Biadasz is a massive upgrade at center. Rookie Jake Slaughter and Cole Strange, at the very least, fit the athleticism McDaniel\u2019s new scheme requires and can\u2019t be worse than last year\u2019s starting guards.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It all sets up nicely for Hampton, who was attempting to adapt to the pros through injuries and poor surroundings last year. Now, he\u2019s comfortable, healthy and walking into a surprisingly upgraded, modern situation.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The breakout should follow.<\/p>\n

Sign Up For the Chargers Daily Digest – OnSI\u2019s Free Los Angeles Chargers Newsletter<\/a><\/p>\n

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