Chargers find the perfect man for critical job in Jim Harbaugh's offense and didn't have to spend much to convince him
The Los Angeles Chargers are making a patented "Jim Harbaugh move" to bolster their offense around Justin Herbert. Chargers agree to terms with RB Najee Harris The Chargers have agreed to terms on a contract with running back Najee Harris for a 1-year deal worth up to $9.25M, according to Ian Rapoport. Keep in mind […]
The Los Angeles Chargers are making a patented "Jim Harbaugh move" to bolster their offense around Justin Herbert.
Chargers agree to terms with RB Najee Harris
The Chargers have agreed to terms on a contract with running back Najee Harris for a 1-year deal worth up to $9.25M, according to Ian Rapoport.
Keep in mind – teams cannot actually speak to the player during the NFL's tampering period off free agency. This convincing by the Chargers came with Harris' agent, technically.
At that point, it's all talk. Teams can chat with agents and agree to terms, but there will be no pen-to-paper or finger to the tablet from the player to make the deal official.
The move is a clear push in the ground and pound mantra of Jim Harbaugh. He wants to run the bal effectively and convert on short-yardage situations. Adding Harris to the RB mix will help LA accomplish exactly that.
You would think that an RB who started his career with the same trajectory as Adrian Peterson would be coveted by the team that drafted him in the first round. But with Najee Harris and the Pittsburgh Steelers, that’s far from the case. Harris averaged less than four yards per carry during his time with the Steelers and he never had that second gear that Pittsburgh saw at Alabama. However, Harris also never played with a good offensive line and was asked to be the bell cow for an offense that changed running schemes multiple times. And still, he reached over 1,000 yards and 5+ rushing TDs every year in Pittsburgh, all the while not missing a start, much less a game.
Jim Harbaugh has a type at RB and Najee Harris fits that type. A road grader with a ton of durability and power, he’s exactly what the Chargers want their backfield to look like. It’s a move that brings Najee back to his home state and brings the Chargers closer to being the offense they want to be. — Rob Gregson
Not to mention, the price tag and length of the deal are both great aspects for the Chargers. They're not tied to the veteran running back for multiple seasons, in case he deals with more injuries or struggles to produce in a starting capacity.
For less than $10M for one season, this feels like a decision that will work out for Los Angeles. Remember that JK Dobbins is a free agent, and Gus Edwards was released to start this week.
I'd also say that it would be smart for the Chargers to add some young talent to their RB room, alongside Harris, too. It would not shock me for Harbaugh to select a running back somewhere between the round two and four range in this year's NFL Draft.
No matter what – Harris a safe, solid addition for a team that wants to retain an identity that they can run the ball at will when they choose to do so. Last season, the running game was far too inconsistent.
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