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Najee Harris of the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Los Angeles Chargers have several big decisions to make on key players who are set to become free agents in March.
Among them is running back Najee Harris, whose tenure in Los Angeles was very brief. He missed the first half of training camp, and did not participate in preseason after sustaining a “superficial eye injury” during a July 4 fireworks accident. However, he was activated by Week 1 of the regular season.
Unfortunately, Harris had another big setback when he tore his Achilles during a Week 3 win over the Denver Broncos. He recorded 15 carries for 61 yards, along with three receptions for 25 yards, during his shortened season. When the Chargers signed Harris, they envisioned him and rookie Omarion Hampton making a dynamic duo out of the backfield.
Workout Video Surfaces of Los Angeles Chargers RB Najee Harris
It was only a one-year contract for Harris, and it is unknown if Los Angeles has any interest in giving him another shot. However, his agent Doug Hendrickson of the Wasserman agency, took to X on Monday to share a video of Harris vigorously working out, running at 15 miles per hour “with ease” on a treadmill.
While he still has a long way still to go, running that fast after an Achilles rupture in September is certainly impressive. If he can make that type of progress in five months, it’s not impossible to believe that he can be ready to go for the start of the 2026 regular season, which is still over six months away.
Harris has a very sturdy track record in the NFL. He rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of the first four season of his career, never missing a single start. Harris is a well-rounded back as a pass blocker and receiver, and was named to the Pro Bowl in 2021. At the least, he is still a capable rotational back.
Chargers Have Enough Salary Cap Space to Splurge During Free Agency
Some may believe that it is unnecessary for Los Angeles to bring Harris back, but with the approximate $83.5 million in salary cap space that it has, it could happen. Coming off a serious injury, Harris’ price tag shouldn’t be high. Kimani Vidal and Hassan Haskins are capable backups to Hampton, but not on the same footing as Harris.
The big position of need for the Chargers is obviously the offensive line, particularly in the interior. They will have a new starting center after the news of Bradley Bozeman retiring, and could also have two new starting guards. Los Angles will also need both quantity and quality at pass rusher if it is unable to retain Khalil Mack and Odafe Oweh.
With wide receiver Keenan Allen and tight end Tyler Conklin also hitting free agency, the Chargers could use an impact pass catcher at either or both positions. If they shore-up these positions of need, the Chargers could boast one of the most complete rosters in the league, potentially setting themselves up for the deep postseason run that has eluded them over the past several years.
Nick Roesch Nick Roesch covers the NFL for Heavy Sports, with a focus on the Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers, and Los Angeles Chargers. He previously covered the Chiefs for USA TODAY Sports’ Chiefs Wire, and all 32 NFL teams for A to Z Sports. Roesch’s career in sports media spans 10 years. More about Nick Roesch
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