The biggest external free agent the LA Chargers signed on day one of NFL free agency was none other than former first-round pick Najee Harris. A polarizing move, the signing had both fans and detractors who were picking apart every element of Harris' fit in LA.
Initially, the reported price for Harris' one-year deal was over $9 million, which seemed like a huge overpay considering what the state of the running back market. This only fueled the detractors of the Harris signing.
However, Harris' contract is not as simple as being worth $9.25 million. In fact, the running back's deal is loaded with incentives, which makes it an even better deal for the Chargers. Per NFL insider Tom Pelissero, the specifics of the contract are as follows:
- $3.75 million signing bonus
- $1.5 million base salary (fully guaranteed)
- Up to $4 million in rushing-yard incentives
Najee Harris contract details highlight a savvy move by the Chargers
Say what you will about Najee Harris' lack of efficiency with a career average of 3.9 yards per carry — I certainly have — but this is exceptional value for the Chargers. Harris, even with his faults, was one of the best running backs on the open market and the Chargers signed him for cheap.
Harris' will carry a $5.25 million cap hit on the Chargers' books in 2025 because of his base salary and signing bonus. It is unclear if Harris' incentives will be considered likely to be earned (LTBE) or not likely to be earned (NLTBE).
There is a difference. LTBE incentives count toward the cap sheet regardless of if a player hits it. If each rushing incentive is LTBE then he will still carry a $9.25 million cap hit this offseason.
However, more often than not, incentives are considered NLTBE. In this case, the incentives will not count against the cap at all this season. Any incentives Harris does hit will retroactively count toward the salary cap next season.
So if Harris has the best possible season and hits all his incentives, the Chargers will carry a $4 million dead cap hit next season, regardless if he is on the team or not. That is a small price to pay in today's age of the salary cap.
The Chargers will only pay a higher figure if Harris earns it and that is a great position to be in. Whether or not he is set up to hit those incentives is a different conversation, but at least the Chargers aren't paying over $9 million upfront for someone who may or may not succeed in LA.
At this figure, the Chargers can afford to bring in another running back if the team deems fit.