Why Chargers adding RB Najee Harris fits Jim Harbaugh's smashmouth offense

Harris is durable and consistent

Reliability was an issue for the Chargers at running back last season. Starter J.K. Dobbins missed four games and backup Gus Edwards missed six games. Dobbins is a free agent and Edwards was released on Monday. 

Harris, now 27, has never missed a game, appearing in 68 straight to start his career. Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh has said in the past that "the best ability is availability," and Harris is a prime example of that. The Chargers ranked No. 10 in rush play percentage last season (44.91 percent), and they'll call on Harris aplenty in 2025. 

Beyond being an iron man, Harris has been steady on the field in terms of production. While his career average of 3.9 yards per carry is so-so, his ability to amass over 1,000 rushing yards and score at a high clip yearly is impressive. 

Per The 33rd Team, Harris is one of five backs with over 1,000 rushing yards in each of their first four NFL seasons this century, along with Chris Johnson, Adrian Peterson, Clinton Portis and LaDainian Tomlinson. 

The price was right

Per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, Harris' one-year deal with the Chargers has just a $5.25 million base value and the potential of up to $4 million in incentives. Harris' base value clocks in under the $6.7 million fifth-year option that the Steelers didn’t exercise for the 2025 season.

Harris is physical and elusive

While Harris is considered a physical runner who can run between the tackles at 6-foot-1 and 242 pounds, his ability to evade defenders is a big part of what makes him successful as well. Per PFF, Harris has 299 missed tackles forced in his career, which ranks No. 1 in the NFL since 2021. 

Receiving threat

Harris has had sneaky production as a receiving option out of the backfield. Harris has 180 career receptions for 1,149 yards and six receiving touchdowns, with 60 of those receptions netting a first down. 

Harbaugh recruited Harris at Michigan

When Jim Harbaugh was the head coach of the Michigan Wolverines, he recruited Harris in 2016, and Harris nearly committed to Michigan but chose Alabama in the end. 

Harris once told the San Francisco Chronicle that he likes Harbaugh "a lot" and called him "a funny dude." And now, Harris is no longer the one that got away from Harbaugh.