One of the big free agent acquisitions for the Los Angeles Chargers this offseason has been running back Najee Harris. The 2021 first-round pick out of Alabama, has played his entire career with the Pittsburgh Steelers up to this point.
Harris signed a one-year deal with the Chargers worth $5.25 million, fully guaranteed, with another $4 million in incentives.
Since arriving in LA, Harris has expressed his excitement about joining the Bolts and also has not been shy about throwing little jabs at his former team.
In his opening press conference, he spoke very highly about the Chargers new facility, The Bolt, and how much nicer it was than the Steelers facility.
In a recent interview, he spoke a little deeper about the actual team, and the offense, specifically.
Los Angeles Chargers RB Najee Harris Speaks About His Time With Pittsburgh Steelers
“We just didn’t know anything on offense, really,” Harris says. “We didn’t have any identity. We had a young guy coming in at QB. I really didn’t have nobody to almost learn from on the offensive side.”
Najee Harris throwing some serious shade at the Steelers and the offense: 👀 "We just didn't know anything on offense really. We didn't have any identity. We had a young guy coming in at QB. I really didn't have nobody to almost learn from on the offensive side." #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/G41rv1jCP9
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) March 20, 2025
This doesn’t dismiss anything, but before everyone wants to burn down the Steelers facility, this specific quote is in reference to when Harris came into the league as a rookie, not last season.
They lost a ton of veteran pieces, including their franchise QB Ben Roethlisberger who got hurt and then retired after the season. However, it is very incriminating to the coaching staff and the culture of the franchise.
At the time, Matt Canada was the offensive coordinator, and it was a rough stretch for the Steelers offensively. But it was not for lack of talent. The roster was young, but they spent a lot of draft capital on building out the skill positions.
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Aside from Harris, the Steelers had Juju Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, James Washington, and Pat Freiermuth. But when you don’t have an identity or any true leadership, talent means nothing.
The team would actually make the playoffs that year and only missed the playoffs in one of the four seasons that Harris was in Pittsburgh, but lost in the first round every time.
The Chargers, under Jim Harbaugh, feel the complete opposite. They have an extremely strong culture, that starts with player leadership.
Similarly to Pittsburgh when Harris was drafted, the Chargers have a very young offense, but they have strong leadership in QB Justin Herbert, and they have an offensive identity.
It is an identity that Najee Harris should love as Greg Roman wants to establish the run and pound the football. It should be a night and day difference for Harris in Los Angeles.