Keaton Mitchell signs with Chargers
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Keaton Mitchell signs with Chargers
While the Los Angeles Chargers haven’t necessarily made big moves in free agency as of yet, they’ve potentially acquired their first hidden gem of free agency, and a player that Mike McDaniel will love to have in his offense.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Chargers have signed former Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell to a tow year, 9.25 million dollar deal, with 5 million dollars guaranteed. With this news, the Chargers have added depth to an already highly skilled backfield.
The Chargers were able to take advantage of the Ravens not choosing to tender Mitchell after Mitchell had an explosive, yet injury filled start to his career. After becoming an undrafted free agent in 2023, Mitchell became somewhat of a big play threat in the Ravens’ offense. However, due to a serious knee injury, he got knocked way down the pecking order after missing all of the 2024 season.
Chargers Take a Low-Risk Gamble on Explosive Speed
Still, last season he looked much like his former self, totaling 341 rushing yards and a touchdown. However, perhaps the Ravens realized that Mitchell would never be a starting caliber back sharing a backfield with Derrick Henry, so the Chargers swooped in when they had the chance.
Now, under McDaniel, Mitchell’s explosiveness could come to the fore for the Chargers. While he will still be the presumed RB3, there seems to be more opportunity for a breakthrough in LA. Omarion Hampton is going into just his second year and while Kimani Vidal performed admirably after injuries impacted the RB room last season, is more of a situational back.
Mike McDaniel’s System Could Unlock Mitchell
For Mitchell, he must take advantage of Mike McDaniel’s affinity for speed in his offense. When you look at the early days of his head coaching job in Miami, he had guys like Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle who could simply take the top off any defense. Then in 2023, he drafted De’Von Achane and turned him into one of the most explosive backs in the league.
While Mitchell has never had a season like Achane has, that doesn’t mean he won’t get the opportunity to. This largely seems like it will be a running back by committee approach for the Chargers yet again and someone will have to emerge and make the big plays when necessary. Why can’t it be Mitchell?
For the Chargers, while it’s not the most satisfying free agency signing they could have made, it is one that could take their offense to the next level. Mitchell has never had the chance to come alive throughout his career, but now, in LA, they could be depending on him to be their home run hitter in the backfield.
The bottom line is Mitchell doesn’t have to be perfect for the Chargers. He just has to add that additional spark the Chargers feel they lack in the running game. If he can be anywhere what he was his rookie season, the Chargers will look like geniuses for making this move.