Would Chargers trade player they just signed in free agency?

There are several stages to each NFL offseason, and the landscape can quickly change after each one. 

It starts with the free-agent signing period, leading to the annual NFL draft. The Los Angeles Chargers, looking to revamp their running back room totally, signed a veteran in free agency and then used their first-round pick on a hot prospect. Some saw these moves as counterproductive while others feel it could lead to the best combination at the position in the league. 

Early on in free agency, the Chargers came to terms on a one-year deal with Najee Harris that could pay him up to $9.25 million this season. That is a pretty penny for a running back, but the team decided to double down at the running back spot by taking Omarion Hampton with the No. 22 overall pick in the draft. 

That sets the Chargers up to hit teams with an effective one-two punch in 2025, but Kristopher Knox over at Bleacher Report says not so fast. While building a list of players who could be moved in a trade this offseason, Knox has Harris as the No. 9 most likely player to be dealt on his list. 

"Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh loves to lead with the ground game, so there might be no such thing as having too much running back depth. However, there is a scenario in which the Chargers could be willing to trade running back Najee Harris, whom they signed to a one-year, $5.25 million deal in free agency.

The Chargers drafted their running back of the future when they took Omarion Hampton with the No. 22 overall pick. They might also be able to bring back 2024 starter J.K. Dobbins, who remains unsigned.

Harris would have value on the trade market. While he was never a high-end starter in Pittsburgh, he was a durable high-volume back who topped 1,000 rushing yards in all four of his NFL seasons", wrote Knox. 

Knox lists the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers, yes the Steelers, as teams who could be interested in trading for Harris. 

Harris played for the Steelers during his first four seasons in the league before becoming a free agent this offseason. The Steelers chose not to re-sign him and then used a third-round pick on Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson. 

The Chargers liked the fact that Harris has rushed for 1,000 yards or more in each of his first four seasons in the league while never missing a single game. Hampton is the team's future but trading Harris, particularly to the Steelers, would display strange roster management and business decisions for both front offices. 

MORE CHARGERS CONTENT

Cowboys predicted to take potential draft bust off Chargers hands

Los Angeles Chargers post-NFL Draft 53-man roster prediction

Chargers predicted to add member of Super Bowl champion Eagles to bolster defense

Chargers predicted to make a move for $97 million, 4-time Pro Bowler to improve secondary

Jim Harbaugh reveals massive plans for quarterback Justin Herbert