Don’t Be Surprised if Najee Harris Shines with Chargers
Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris was tabbed as one of the best value free agent signings by Gilberto Manzano of Sports Illustrated. Harris signed a one-year, $5.25 million contract with the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency. Manzano expects Harris to shine in Jim Harbaugh’s run schemes.
“Harris has never been a big-play threat, but he’s one of the most consistent running backs in the league. He rushed for at least 1,000 yards in four consecutive seasons and had 28 rushing touchdowns over that span with the Steelers,” Manzano wrote.
“Harris could have better surroundings in Los Angeles with Joe Alt, Rashawn Slater and Mekhi Becton blocking, and quarterback Justin Herbert not allowing opposing defenses to stack the box. Last season, the Chargers struggled in short-yardage situations. That won’t be a problem with Harris, who will likely get an extra $4 million for meeting his rushing incentives playing for Jim Harbaugh.”
During his introductory press conference with the Chargers, Harris revealed the exact moment when he knew his time with the Steelers was come to a conclusion. The writing was pretty much on the wall before the season started, as the Steelers declined Harris’ fifth-year option.
“Me and Coach T, we’re pretty close in certain ways, so I knew what was coming. I didn’t plan on doing it,” Harris said. “It wasn’t something that was in the plan or anything, but it is a business. I just knew that it would be my last year. Maybe like a couple games, maybe like halfway through the end of the season I kind of knew that.”
Harris’ downhill run style certainly fits L.A.’s offense. Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh is notorious for having run-first teams.
Harris, who’s from the Bay Area, also returns to the West Coast. Harris believes the Chargers are a team on the rise.
“When we even played against them, I’ve seen the type of team they’re on the rise to be, and I want to be a part of that,” Harris said.
The Steelers drafted Harris with the No. 24 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Since then, Harris has rushed for 1,000 yards in each of his four seasons as a professional. This past season, he went for 1,043 yards and six touchdowns on 263 carries. Harris, Chris Johnson, Adrian Peterson, Clinton Portis and LaDainian Tomlinson are the only RBs since 2000 to enter the NFL with four-straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons.
Despite taking his lumps, he’s been durable for the Steelers, having not missed a game for the team. It ultimately came down to a business decision to not place the fifth-year option on Harris.
“It was a business decision that we had to make by May 2,” Steelers general manager Omar Khan said last June on 93.7 The Fan. “But Najee’s awesome to have around here. Love Najee as a player and a person. Just because we didn’t pick it up doesn’t exclude us from doing something with Najee long-term. I’d love to say Najee was here and had a long career in Pittsburgh. He really represents us well on and off the field.”
The Steelers play the Chargers at SoFi Stadium in 2025.