Chargers backfield: the scheme fought the player
Los Angeles went to an outside zone run scheme and it did not work. Omarion Hampton kept getting bounced outside. The offensive line and the receivers did not set the edge and they did not create lanes. That is not a “he’s a bust after one week” thing. That is a scheme-player mismatch. Hampton still saw a 57% rush share, 15th among running backs in utilization. His rush EPA was -4.62. The only back worse in that sample was Rhamondre Stevenson. He also did not get a single target. In 2026 that is a problem. Modern backs need to eat in the passing game or the profile dies on early downs. Keaton Mitchell got four carries and all four were outside zone. Same issue. No real passing-game usage for him either.
The tape that was actually good was inside. Gap and lead plays between the tackles are where Hampton looks like himself. If the play-calling funnels him there, there is still upside. Until that happens, both the line and the receivers failing to block the edge is neutralizing the entire zone look.
