When Mike McDaniel was at the helm in Miami, he turned speed into a weapon. Now, as the Chargers' offensive coordinator, he's bringing that same philosophy to Los Angeles—and one of his newest playmakers is already feeling the spark.

Running back Keaton Mitchell, who averaged an electric 6.8 yards per touch across three seasons with the Ravens, is the latest speedster to join McDaniel's system. After signing with the Chargers in free agency, Mitchell credits a familiar face for helping seal the deal: General Manager Joe Hortiz, who was part of the Ravens' front office when Mitchell first entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2023.

Mitchell's journey hasn't been without its hurdles. He tore his ACL as a rookie and managed just five games in 2024 before bouncing back last season with 68 touches in 13 appearances. While his exact role in Los Angeles is still taking shape, the young back sees a golden opportunity to build on his early success.

"Definitely motivating to be in a room where I feel like I have a chance and a shot to do big things," Mitchell told the team's website.

With 2025 first-round pick Omarion Hampton also in the backfield mix, the Chargers are stacking talent. But don't sleep on Mitchell's potential impact in the return game—a dual-threat role that could maximize his explosive speed and give the offense an extra gear. For a player who's battled back from injury and is now in a system built for speed, the 2026 season could be his biggest stage yet.