The underappreciation of Najee Harris is continuing in his return to Southern California. Despite not even taking his first snap in a Chargers uniform, there’s plenty of reason to believe his time in Los Angeles could be incredibly short.
Bleacher Report listed Harris among 10 notable players across the league who could find themselves on the trade block before training camp begins. Harris joined the Chargers on a one-year, $5.25 million deal this offseason, but the franchise also spent a first-round pick on North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton.
With such an investment in the backfield, it seems unlikely Harris will even be the starter in Jim Harbaugh’s offense. If that’s the case, Harris may want out of LA himself. After all, he nearly transferred from Alabama after seeing one too many seasons (read: one season) pass by without him being the lead back.
A crowded backfield clouds former Steelers RB Najee Harris’ role in L.A.
Of course, the Chargers signed Harris as a short-term option, no doubt intending to find a long-term answer in the draft. Despite posting four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons to begin his career, Harris’s shortcomings have proven many of his doubters right throughout his career.
If Harris and Hampton don’t have a near equal share of touches, Harris would be put in a precarious situation. His stats in Pittsburgh always came down to consistency in his volume rather than making explosive plays. Without the volume, his production will likely plummet and raise red flags around the league.
Bleacher Report floated the idea of him being shipped back to Pittsburgh, but that seems extremely unlikely unless disaster strikes the Steelers’ backfield. However, a suitable option would be in Dallas, another suggested landing spot from B/R. Depending on the timing of a hypothetical trade, Harris would fit into a run-heavy scheme that wouldn’t require him to do more than he did in Pittsburgh: just pick up four yards and get back to the huddle.
Steeler fans are no doubt keeping an eye on Harris to see if his problems as an NFL back persist beyond Pittsburgh. Whether or not he’s dealt from Los Angeles or finds a way to thrive in an offense that looked well-suited for him before Hampton’s addition will play a big role in how many of his supporters in Pittsburgh ultimately feel about his departure from the Steel City.