In an ideal world, the Los Angeles Chargers' running back room in 2025 would have been the motor of their offense.
Instead, veteran back Najee Harris played in just three games before an Achilles injury ended his season. Dynamic rookie Omarion Hampton also missed a large swathe of the year with a foot injury.
Kimani Vidal stepped up in their absences, posting three separate 100-yard performances in between Week 6 and Week 14. Heading into 2026, it makes sense to trust Vidal with RB2 responsibilities, hoping that Hampton can remain healthy over the course of the season and truly become the lead back of the future.
Yet Harris, who has all but been disregarded as a potential free agent target, is making a surprising case to return to Los Angeles for next season. It might seem like a controversial take, but a closer look reveals it's not all that unrealistic.
Najee Harris appears to be rehabbing smoothly, and he could get a strong bounce-back opportunity with the Chargers
Of course Vidal has earned the right to function as the Chargers' complementary back next season. But the Chargers are still in need of a third back who can shoulder the workload if either Vidal or Hampton were to go down with injury.
Prior to last season, Harris had hit the 1000-yard threshold in each of his four seasons. He did not miss a single game during that time. Apart from the lingering injury concerns, he's about as reliable as it gets as a workorse back.
In a video posted on X on Feb. 23, Harris's rehab appears to be going smoothly. With nearly 12 months to heal and no significant injury history beyond the Achilles, one can likely count on Harris being healthy for the start of 2026.
Moreover, his next deal could be dirt-cheap. Per Spotrac, Harris' next contract is projected to be around one year and $3 million. For what the Chargers ultimately need to add to their running back room, there isn't really a cheaper or more reliable option.
Raheem Mostert, who spent last season with the Las Vegas Raiders, could be an option. But it seems as though his days of dependable performance are well behind him. Same thing with players like A.J. Dillon and Dameon Pierce.
Harris has both more upside and more familiarity with the organization than almost anyone on the market in his price range.
Of course this would be a surprising signing given the risk of re-injury Harris presents. But what the Chargers initially liked about Harris hasn't disappeared. As a result, his return remains a distinct possibility.