Jim Harbaugh’s hiring as the Los Angeles Chargers‘ head coach ushered in a new era for the franchise, one it hopes can break the cycle of mediocrity.
Harbaugh could have his eye on landing a big-name running back this offseason to aid those efforts, and NFL analyst and former Chargers QB Ryan Leaf mentioned New York Giants RB Saquon Barkley as someone to watch for at the top of Harbaugh’s wish list.
Would Jim Harbaugh Target Saquon Barkley This Offseason?
Harbaugh is known for being a coach who prioritizes the running game from his time, both at the college and professional levels, and that’s something he’s expected to bring with him to the Chargers.
Los Angeles has found strong production at the position in recent years from Austin Ekeler, who ran for 628 yards and five touchdowns and caught 51 passes for 436 yards and one score in 14 starts this past season. Ekeler could remain in the Chargers’ plans going forward, but he is slated to be a free agent this summer, a reality that could have the franchise exploring other options.
One of those options could be Barkley, who is also slated to be a free agent this offseason (if New York doesn’t use another franchise tag on him).
Leaf, who apparently has a strong relationship with Harbaugh, floated the idea on Friday’s edition of Good Morning Football that Barkley will be at the top of Harbaugh’s wish list this offseason.
“Austin Ekeler is a big part of what could be with them running the football, but I do think that Saquon Barkley is going to be at the top of his list in terms of what he wants to do at the running back position,” Leaf said. “It’s something I know Jim Harbaugh wants to do — he wants to run the football, and he wants to use those guys down the field with play action.”
Barkley was plenty productive in 14 starts last season for the Giants, rushing for 962 yards and six touchdowns on the ground while tacking on 280 receiving yards for four more scores through the air. His combination of running and pass-catching abilities could be a good fit for Harbaugh’s offensive scheme.
That likely focus on the run game, however, raises the question of whether Chargers star quarterback Justin Herbert would be comfortable with having less of the onus on his passing abilities. He threw for more than 4,000 yards in each of his first three NFL seasons before a finger injury cut his 2023 campaign short after 13 starts.
Still, Leaf seemed to believe that Herbert would be comfortable with the idea if it means more team success than the former Oregon Ducks star has experienced through four seasons in Los Angeles.
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“Justin and Jim are cut from the same cloth,” Leaf said. “They’re not as eccentric in terms of how they go about their business, but they are cut from the same competitive cloth that is needed to be a professional quarterback. Justin just wants to win.”
Time will tell whether the Chargers go with Ekeler, Barkley, or a different top option at running back, but it seems clear Harbaugh will prioritize the position this offseason given its importance in his system.
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