The Los Angeles Chargers have already been declared winners of the NFL offseason after hiring head coach Jim Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz. As Los Angeles puts the finishing touches on its coaching staff, the team is already generating interest from top NFL free agents.
With just a few weeks into 2024 NFL free, the Chargers don’t currently have the cap space to spend heavily this offseason. To even get under the NFL salary cap in 2024, Hortiz and Harbaugh will need to follow through on making significant cap casualties just to be compliant with NFL rules.
Related: Jim Harbaugh hints at Austin Ekeler’s future with Los Angeles Chargers
However, there are clear moves that will allow Los Angeles to become compliant with the NFL salary cap. Once it reaches that point, one of the best offensive weapons in the NFL has now made it known he is interested in being part of the Chargers’ offense.
During an appearance on Up & Adams, New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley said he is a fan of Harbaugh and Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert. If the right opportunity presented itself, the Pro Bowl offensive weapon would be open to playing for Los Angeles.
“I’ve got nothing but respect for Coach Harbaugh. I’m a big fan of Justin Herbert. I think he’s one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. But, hey, if the opportunity was able to present itself, I definitely wouldn’t be against it.”
Saquon Barkley on potentially signing with the Los Angeles Chargers, playing for Jim Harbaugh
Examining Saquon Barkley’s fit with the Chargers’ offense
While Barkley has struggled to remain on the field at times, he remains one of the best running backs in the NFL. Considering the regression Austin Ekeler showed last season, Barkley could be a high-end replacement at running back for Los Angeles.
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- Saquon Barkley stats 2023: 1,242 scrimmage yards, 3.9 yards per carry, 4.3 yards per touch, 10 total touchdowns in 14 games
Even on a bad Giants’ offense in 2023, Barkley still demonstrated his effectiveness with the football in his hands. The 6-foot running back had the eighth-most breakaway runs (12) and he finished with the fifth-highest target share (15.3 percent) among NFL running backs.
Considering Harbaugh and Greg Roman want to deploy a run-heavy offense next season, Barkley could be the perfect complement to Herbert and Keenan Allen. Of course, his contract demands will determine the likelihood of him signing with the Chargers.
