Chargers’ Mike McDaniel Sticks to Proven Running Game Strategy

Mike McDaniel isn’t looking to change the running game drastically for the Los Angeles Chargers. Instead, he recalls the versatile backfield he helped develop during his five years with the San Francisco 49ers.

Known as one of the most inventive offensive minds in the NFL, McDaniel emphasized that his driving force isn’t innovation. “The most important thing, which I don’t think about, is inventing things,” he stated during a recent appearance on “NFL Daily” with Greg Rosenthal and Jordan Rodrigue. “If you stay true to the core of your work—creating a win-win for players—you’re solving a reverse engineering problem.”

This philosophy sheds light on how McDaniel perceives the Chargers’ backfield, featuring players like Omarion Hampton, Keaton Mitchell, and Kimani Vidal. Rather than assigning fixed roles before the game, he adapts based on who performs during the match.

“It’s like playing the hot hand,” McDaniel explained. “We’re likely to use all three of them every game. The proportion will depend on what the opponent presents and our strategy for the players.”

This approach isn’t new for McDaniel, who collaborated with Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco from 2017 to 2021. During that time, the 49ers rarely depended on one primary running back, navigating through injuries and shifting performances.

A striking example occurred in 2019. The 49ers started the season with Tevin Coleman and Matt Breida in the lead, but Raheem Mostert stepped up significantly. When Coleman started against Baltimore, Mostert dominated, rushing 19 times for 146 yards and a touchdown.

“As he was going on, we just clung to the hot hand,” Shanahan reflected later.

A week later, Shanahan acknowledged that Mostert “gave him no choice” but to expand his role. Mostert ended the regular season with leading rushing yards and had a remarkable performance in the NFC Championship Game.

However, the situation continued to evolve. Coleman regained his top role in the first playoff match against Minnesota, rushing 22 times for 105 yards while Mostert had 12 carries.

Throughout McDaniel’s time in San Francisco, the backfield remained fluid, with Breida, Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr., and rookie Elijah Mitchell taking turns leading the team in rushing.

Though the names changed, the system thrived by showcasing running backs with skill sets tailored to exploit opposing defenses.

Now in Los Angeles, McDaniel enjoys similar flexibility.

Hampton stands out as the frontrunner, having rushed for 545 yards and four touchdowns, along with catching 32 passes as a rookie. His combination of strength and receiving skills positions him well for a multi-down role, and McDaniel mentioned he could see “a ton of touches.”

Nonetheless, being at the top of the depth chart doesn’t guarantee automatic distribution.

Mitchell, who signed a two-year deal with the Chargers, averaged 5.78 yards per carry last season and had a notable 10 runs of over 10 yards. Vidal also contributed significantly, leading the team with 643 rushing yards and surpassing 100 yards three times.

Each running back offers unique advantages to McDaniel. While Hampton presents the broadest solution, Mitchell brings speed and explosiveness, and Vidal manages essential responsibilities that keep the offense functioning.

Jim Harbaugh has already noted this group’s potential, calling them “thunder and lightning.” McDaniel believes all three can start and expects them to play in most games. His strategy involves keeping his backs fresh against opponents who often cannot replace their top defenders.

This could result in a committee approach some weeks while another player may take the lead in different matchups. Decisions will hinge on the opponent, the game plan, and which player poses the most challenge to contain.

“If a player is excelling, I’m not going to pull him,” McDaniel stated. “That’s just bad business.”

Even with McDaniel’s creativity, the Chargers’ running scheme isn’t an untested concept. It mirrors the adaptable model he helped create in San Francisco—arrive with multiple strategies, identify the most effective, and keep executing that plan.