Bengals trade idea swaps late pick to Chargers for 643-yard rusher

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The Cincinnati Bengals are heading into the 2026 NFL season with a ton of optimism for the team's Super Bowl and playoff odds.

Joe Burrow and the offense are back, while the defense underwent some major improvements. But there's even more room for growth for this Bengals team before the season kicks off. One area to look at is the running back room.

Moe Moton of Bleacher Report linked the Bengals to a trade idea in which they would swap a late-round pick with the Los Angeles Chargers to land 643-yard rusher Kimani Vidal as another depth option behind Chase Brown in a deal that'd make sense for both teams.

Bengals trade idea lands Kimani Vidal from Chargers for late round pick

"Cincinnati Bengals: Trade a late 2027 pick for Los Angeles Chargers RB Kimani Vidal," Moton proposed.

This idea from Moton would make sense for both the Bengals and the Chargers. One team needs a bit more depth, and the other has found a replacement on the roster already.

For the Bengals, while Brown is a good starter, and Samaje Perine is a solid backup, they could use another decent option out of the backfield, with their other options being big question marks.

Vidal would be a nice addition, as last season he ran for 643 yards and three touchdowns on 155 attempts as the Chargers RB took over an injury-riddled backfield and thrived.

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He also added 16 receptions on 22 targets for 136 yards and one touchdown. Vidal would be a nice depth option behind Brown and Perine, as the 5-foot-8, 215-pound runner is likely to be available for trade as well.

The Chargers spent a first-round pick on Omarion Hampton in 2025, and then this offseason, they signed Keaton Mitchell to be the team's new backup RB.

Vidal is, at-best, the third RB on the team. He does have some value to the Chargers, but it would make sense for them to land an extra late-round pick if it meant finding a different depth piece in free agency or on the roster.

For the Bengals, adding Vidal, who thrived as a starter last season, would give the team a much better backup situation. A Brown injury now would dramatically hurt the run game. But with Vidal, the Bengals could be okay without Brown for a game or two.