Keaton Mitchell has his next landing spot in the NFL.
The former East Carolina standout running back is on the move to the Los Angeles Chargers on a two-year deal worth $9.25 million, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. The contract includes $5 million guaranteed, with a max value of $11.25 million.
Mitchell was non-tendered by the Baltimore Ravens recently, making him an unrestricted free agent. He ended up landing his richest contract yet in the NFL after beginning his time in 2023 as an undrafted free agent. To this point in his NFL career, Mitchell has earned $2.428 million over his previous three seasons.
With the moves from the Ravens to the Chargers, Mitchell goes from the one AFC contender to another, and one Harbaugh to another. He was coached by John Harbaugh in Baltimore, before he was dismissed at the end of the 2025-26 season. Jim Harbaugh's now in his third year coaching the Chargers, who have made the playoffs each of the last two year.
The Chargers backfield is led by Omarion Hampton, who will be entering his second year after a solid showing as a first-round rookie in 2025-26. Kimani Vidal rushed for 643 yards and averaged 4.1 yards per carry last season, too, and is in line to be the team's second back. Mitchell should slot in as the Chargers' third back at worst, and provide a change-of-pace option for Hampton and Vidal.
Los Angeles also has Jaret Patterson under contract as a reserve running back.
When healthy, Mitchell has been one of the league's most explosive running backs with the ball in his hands. He's averaged 6.3 yards per carry over 121 career rush attempts for 767 yards and three scores.
As a rookie in 2023, Mitchell played in eight games with 47 carries for 396 yards and two scores. He was on track to be a vital complement to Derrick Henry for Baltimore's playoff run before suffering a late season devastating knee injury.
Mitchell returned in 2024, but was limited to 15 carries over five games for 30 yards. The 5-foot-8, 180-pounder returned more to form in 2025, getting 59 carries for 341 yards over 13 games. He averaged 4.5 yards per carry.
He's also served as a capable returner man for Baltimore, getting 27 kick return chances for 747 yards 27.7 yards per return over the last two seasons.
Entering his age 24 season, Mitchell is still young and plenty explosive when healthy, which should give the Chargers' offense a different element when on the field.
Mitchell played at East Carolina from 2020-22, where he rushed for 3,027 yards and averaged 6.5 yards per carry over a three-year span. Mitchell, a native of Atlanta, ran for 443 yards as a freshman, before ripping off 1,132 yards as a sophomore in 2021, and a career-best 1,452 yards and 14 scores as a junior to conclude his college career in 2022.