The Chargers on Wednesday announced they have agreed to terms with running back Najee Harris in free agency.
Harris became a priority for the Bolts after the release of Gus Edwards and now joins a running back room that currently includes Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal.
Harris, who recently turned 27, was 2021 first-round pick by the Steelers and has rushed for at least 1,000 yards in each of his four seasons in the league.
That consistency is likely what drew the Chargers to Harris, who also tallied 28 rushing touchdowns in his four seasons in Pittsburgh, which plays a similar brand of football than the one Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh wants to employ in Los Angeles.
Harbaugh has a myriad of sayings he usually refers to but one he recalls often is about leadership and toughness.
"Like a lot of leaders, it's not about what they say, it's about what they do," Harbaugh said during the 2024 season. "What you do speaks so loudly that you can't even hear what you're saying."
Harris seemingly fits this mantra perfectly.
The running back certainly isn't flashy and hasn't been a home run hitter in the NFL. His longest career carry has gone for 32 yards.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with running back Najee Harris.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) warms up before an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021 in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) plays against the Tennessee Titans during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) runs past Cleveland Browns safety John Johnson III (43) during an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) carries the ball with Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David (54) defending during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) runs after a catch for a 6-yard touchdown during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, in Pittsburgh, PA. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) tries to stiff arm Carolina Panthers cornerback Myles Hartsfield (38) during an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) looks on before an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) stiff arms Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Foyesade Oluokun (23) during an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) rushes during an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, in Orchard Park, NY. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) carries the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in Atlanta.(AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) runs with the ball against the Las Vegas Raiders during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct 13, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) carries against New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams in the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) carries the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants Monday, Oct. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) in action during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) carries the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) slides while cutting back during an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) scores a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) carries during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
Pittsburgh Steelers' Najee Harris in action during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Pittsburgh Steelers' Najee Harris plays during an NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
But Harris has not missed a single game since he entered the league, appearing in 68 regular-season games plus a trio of playoff contests.
It's not as if Harris won't provide some sizzle at times in the backfield. He did tally a career-high 0.24 missed tackles forced per attempt in 2024 while adding 30 explosive runs of 10-plus yards.
Since 2021, Harris is tied for fifth among running backs with 104 such runs. He also leads the NFL with 299 total missed tackles (rushing and receiving) since he entered the league.
Harris is listed at 6-foot-1 and 242 pounds, meaning the Bolts envision him as a bruiser who will consistently wear down defense and put the game on ice when the Chargers are holding fourth-quarter leads this season.
Put another way, Harris is more like a doubles hitter who can routinely frustrate defenses while also plowing through them on a regular basis.
Harbaugh and Chargers General Manager Joe Hortiz have harped over and over about how they want to build their team with a focus on physicality and effort.
And while the Chargers had those traits in spurts 2024, the overall run game lacked a consistency that the Bolts hope Harris can provide.
Overall, Harbaugh and Hortiz's mindset hasn't changed since they arrived in Los Angeles roughly 14 months ago.
They want a certain identity to permeate through their team, with Harris being the latest player that fits the mold.
