As someone who owns part of the Hamptons in one of his two dynasties, this is something I’ve been mulling over in my head for the past two weeks.
Against the Seahawks, Hampton looked like the best back there. Against Denver, he didn’t and Vidal’s 42-yard touchdown in which he broke through and dodged multiple tackles was spectacular. That won’t help Hampton’s case to be the workhorse we all expect him to be this year.
But how big is that net-negative, if any? If Vidal is the better returner (let’s just say this for the hypothetical), then should we be more okay with Hampton losing chances and overall snap share? Would you be okay with watching the team’s 2025 first round pick slip back into obscurity if Vidal performs the way we’ve come to expect in Hampton this year?
I really expect great things from Hampton. I can still see the level of talent he has through the lack of production, but it’s pretty clear he’s not as adept at running behind a bad line as Vidal. I mean, the latter essentially did it for the entire 2025 season. He had multiple 100-yard games, including two with more than 120.
Vidal has done it before. He has proven success under his belt.
But what does history say about first-round running backs who don’t outright own the starting job by the end of their second season? I don’t have that information personally at the moment, but something tells me it’s not good for that player.
Maybe I’m wrong, but I’ll keep digging into it.
Are you all worried about Hampton the same way I am? Less? Could it be more? Let me know how you feel below.
And now for today’s links.
Takeaways from Jim Harbaugh’s Monday press conference (Chargers.com)
What you need to know about the Chargers before the NFL trade deadline (Chargers.com)
Rams OT Alaric Jackson throws a punch at Bradley Chubb following Bills’ win (ESPN)
Cowboys hire Mike Pettine to help their struggling offense (CBS Sports)
NFL suspends Dre Greenlaw one game for his headbutt on Leonard Williams (NFL.com)
Jaguars OT Anton Harrison expected to have knee surgery (Pro Football Talk)
The 49ers took the top spot in this week’s power rankings from SI (Sports Illustrated)
Sean McVay says he’s “pissed off” following loss to Bills (Bleacher Report)