Los Angeles Chargers Rookie Minicamp Ric Tapia/GettyImages

Jim Harbaugh breaks silence on Tre Harris' Chargers holdout

Originally posted on Bolt Beat | By Jason Reed | Last updated Jul 17, 2025 2:35 PM ET

Second-round pick Tre Harris is holding out from LA Chargers training camp as he does his part in what is turning into a league-wide chess battle between the NFLPA and NFL owners. Harris is holding the line, looking to get guaranteed money on his rookie contract that was previously unprecedented.

This all started with Houston Texans wideout Jayden Higgins. A projected first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Texans gave Higgins a fully guaranteed contract that sent a message to the rest of the NFL. Now, every second-round pick is holding out for the same guaranteed money.

It is all one giant game of chicken that will eventually be resolved before the start of the 2025 season. However, every rep Harris doesn't take during training camp can impact his production early in his NFL career. That alone should be forcing the Chargers' hand.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh doesn't seem overly concerned about it, though. Harbaugh spoke to reporters during the first day of training camp on Thursday and had a rather mundane response when asked about the Harris holdout.

Jim Harbaugh on Chargers WR Tre Harris hold out: "There's a buisness side to football. Him and Joe Hortiz will get that worked out."

"I hope it gets done sooner rather than later. That's facts, as the young people say." pic.twitter.com/YTBL3IGZ0Q
— Alex Insdorf (@alexinsdorf99) July 17, 2025

Jim Harbaugh isn't concerned about Tre Harris' Chargers holdout

It's quite clear that Harbaugh isn't concerned about Harris' holdout impacting him in the long run. Harbaugh understand the business side of football and knows that in the long run, Harris will be just fine.

That being said, this entire situation is obviously less than ideal. These training camp reps are invaluable for rookies, especially those at skill positions who need to build a rapport with the quarterback.

That rapport doesn't just happen overnight. Harris needs to build that connection with Herbert and needs to learn Greg Roman's offense.

This also impacts Herbert and the Chargers' offense at large. With Mike Williams sidelined on the PUP list, the team is going to be running through offensive sets without a true X receiver. While it's just practice, this does have an impact on the team's ability to prepare for the 2025 season.

What makes this all more frustrating is the fact that the Chargers are ultimately going to cave and give Harris what he wants. It's not like the Chargers are going to completely punt on their second-round pick because of guaranteed money that he is going to get anyway.

This is all just a battle between NFL owners and the NFLPA where both sides want to hold the line. Harbaugh knows this, so he's not concerned. But it doesn't make it any less annoying.

This article first appeared on Bolt Beat and was syndicated with permission.

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