The Los Angeles Chargers today placed an exclusive rights tender on running back Kimani Vidal and signed running back Jaret Patterson and safety Kendall Williamson to contract extensions.
Vidal showcased his versatility as a threat out of the backfield for the Chargers offense in 2025. The second-year running back appeared in 13 games and made 10 starts during the regular season, racking up 643 rushing yards and three scores on 155 attempts (4.1 avg.), adding 16 receptions for 136 yards (8.5 avg.) and a touchdown. He totaled three 100-yard rushing games in 2025, including the first start of his career in the Week 6 victory over Miami, where Vidal led the offense with 124 yards on the ground on 18 carries (6.9 avg.) along with three catches for 14 yards and a receiving touchdown.
A sixth-round pick of the Chargers in 2024 (181st overall), Vidal saw action in 10 games for the Bolts in his rookie season. He hauled in a 38-yard touchdown catch on his first NFL touch, becoming the 11th player in team history to have a receiving score in an NFL debut. Over the course of his two seasons with the Bolts, Vidal has registered 996 yards from scrimmage, carrying the ball 198 times for 798 yards (4.0 avg.) and three touchdowns, while adding 21 receptions for 198 yards (9.4 avg.) and two touchdowns.
Vidal appeared in 48 games over four seasons at Troy (2020-23), finishing his career as the program’s all-time leader in rushing yards (4,010), attempts (781) and 200-yard rushing games (five), while tying for the most 100-yard rushing performances (14) and tying for No. 3 with 33 rushing touchdowns. The 2023 Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year and third-team All-American added 92 receptions for 700 yards (7.6 avg.) and a touchdown. Vidal is the great-nephew of Baseball Hall of Famer and home run legend Hank Aaron.
