Should Omarion Hampton Become a Bell Cow Running Back?

The Los Angeles Chargers need to start figuring out what they have in Omarion Hampton. The second-year running back was brought in to be a major part of this offense, but through the first several games of the season, the Chargers have struggled to get him consistently involved. With the team sitting at 0-7 and searching for answers, giving Hampton a bigger workload should be one of the first things the coaching staff considers.

Hampton showed plenty of promise during his rookie season, finishing with 545 rushing yards and four touchdowns despite appearing in just nine games. There was plenty of reason to believe he could take another step forward in 2026, especially with Mike McDaniel taking over as offensive coordinator. Instead, the Chargers have continued rotating three different running backs, making it difficult for Hampton to establish any real consistency.

Kimani Vidal and Keaton Mitchell have both had opportunities to contribute, and there is nothing wrong with having multiple capable running backs. However, the Chargers need to identify their best option and give that player an opportunity to take control of the backfield. Hampton should be that guy.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh recently acknowledged the need to evaluate Hampton’s workload, saying he would look into giving the young running back more reps. That is certainly encouraging, especially considering how much the offense needs a spark. Hampton has the talent and physical ability to handle a much larger role, and the Chargers should be willing to find out just how much he can handle.

There are certainly things Hampton needs to improve. His ball security has been an issue this season, and he needs to become more consistent with his production. However, it is difficult to expect a running back to find his rhythm when his opportunities are constantly changing. Hampton needs to get more touches early in games and have the opportunity to build momentum. The Chargers can still use Vidal and Mitchell in specific situations, but Hampton should be the primary option.

Becoming a bell cow does not necessarily mean giving Hampton every single carry or keeping the other running backs on the sideline. It means making him the centerpiece of the running game and allowing him to establish himself as the lead back. There is no reason the Chargers cannot find ways to get all three involved while still giving Hampton the majority of the opportunities.

With the season already looking like a lost cause, there is little reason not to experiment with a larger role for Hampton. The Chargers need to figure out what works offensively, but they also need to start identifying the players they want to build around moving forward. Hampton was a first-round investment for a reason. The talent is there, and the Chargers need to give him a legitimate opportunity to prove he can be the workhorse running back they envisioned when they drafted him. Harbaugh’s comments are a positive first step, but now it is time to see that translate onto the field. If Hampton is going to be a major part of this team’s future, there is no better time than now to start treating him like it.