The Los Angeles Chargers are signing former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris to a 1 year deal worth up to $9.25M.
The new deal features a $3.75 million signing bonus, $1.5M fully guaranteed base salary, and up to $4M in rushing yards incentives. All in all that totals to a $5.25M base salary which can max out at $9.25M if all the escalators are achieved during 2025.
The former 1st round pick from 2021 became available when the Steelers declined to pick up his fifth year option. Out west, the Chargers opted to let starter JK Dobbins walk in free agency, creating a need at tailback on their roster.
Harris is the exact type of back that head coach Jim Harbaugh values in his offence. The former Alabama standout has yet to miss an NFL game in his career, while seeing the 2nd most touches in the league, trailing only Derrick Henry.
With 4 straight 1,000 yard seasons to start his NFL career, Harris is known more as a bruiser than a “do-it all” style back akin to Christian McCaffrey. Harris has racked up the fifth-most rushing yards since 2021 with 4,312 and is 10th in yards per game with 63.4.
A 2x National Champion with the Crimson Tide, Harris will now take the starters reps in the backfield behind a solid offensive line featuring Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt.
Pittsburgh will now need to find a new running back to pair with Jaylen Warren after it tendered an offer to the restricted free agent on March 10th. Whether that comes via free agency or on draft day remains to be seen.
Photo: Erik Drost. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.