The Los Angeles Chargers had the NFL world dumbfounded this offseason when they signed running back Najee Harris to a one-year deal.
The contract is only worth $5.5 million, so nothing about the length or value of the partnership is surprising.
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It was the fact that the Chargers brought in Harris at all that confused everyone.
They signed former Baltimore Ravens draft pick J.K. Dobbins last summer and after arguably the best season of his career, fans expected him to be back with the team.
He did have some injury concerns but people wondered why Los Angeles moved on so fast and replaced him with a player who is statistically one of the least efficient running backs in the league.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) reacts after the victory over the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium.© Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
The signing became even more unreasonable when the team selected running back Omarion Hampton from North Carolina in the first round of this year’s draft.
It’s totally possible that the bolts ease him into a starting role, but it is an almost unanimous opinion that the former Tar Heels star will become an every down back sooner rather than later.
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The shelf life of an NFL running back is typically shorter than most positions so it is imperative for teams to maximize their value.
For this reason, it may be smarter to let Hampton take the bell cow role now and look to move Harris.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox recently created a list of potential landing spots for the most logical trade candidates in the league and the former Pittsburgh Steelers halfback made the cut.
Knox is projecting Harris to draw interest from the Dallas Cowboys along with his former team.
The Cowboys had one of the worst rushing offenses in the league last year and have only bandaged the position with cheap free agent signings and day three draft picks.
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Acquiring the former Alabama star would welcome in the team’s first reliable running back since Tony Pollard was backing up Ezekiel Elliot.
The Steelers were also one of Knox’s potential suitors for Harris, but after they just let him walk in free agency this seems pretty unlikely.
However, they are currently awaiting a free agent decision from future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers who is coming off a nightmarish two seasons with the New York Jets.
Pittsburgh could try to sweeten the pot for the Green Bay Packers legend by adding another weapon to the offense.
Related: Chargers Earn Elite Draft Grade After Selecting Omarion Hampton in First Round