The Chargers keep saying the same thing about Omarion Hampton: they still trust him, and they still expect him to matter.
That message came through loud and clear from offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, who pushed back on the idea that Hampton’s shrinking role means he has slipped on the depth chart. The former first-round pick has seen his snaps drop over the last two weeks, which naturally raised eyebrows. But McDaniel made it plain that this is not about a loss of confidence.
“I don't see any change in terms of the depth chart at all. I felt I was underutilizing a strength,” McDaniel said.
He went even further when pressed on Hampton’s status, leaving no room for interpretation.
“I can't make the statement more emphatic: it's not because I lost any faith in O at all,” McDaniel said.
That reassurance matters for Hampton, but it does not erase the concern. His workload has not matched what usually comes with being drafted that high, and his start has fallen short of what the Chargers likely envisioned. With the offense still looking for consistency, getting him more touches feels like a logical fix.
The bigger issue is that injuries have kept disrupting what the Chargers wanted to build. Still, that cannot become a catch-all explanation for not getting the most out of young talent.
McDaniel’s comments suggest the belief is still there. Now the Chargers have to show it on the field and put Hampton back in a bigger role.
Los Angeles faces the Broncos in Week 5.
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Chargers Face A Brutal Justin Herbert Problem At The Worst Time
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Herbert has been trying to steer an attack that has not produced at the level the Chargers need, and the pressure is only increasing as Week 5 arrives. Losing both edge protectors puts more strain on the entire offensive plan, and it leaves the Chargers needing answers fast against a Denver front that will surely test every weak spot. The bigger concern now is not just getting through one game, but figuring out how much damage this stretch can do to an offense already searching for a spark. [Read more 🡒]