Najee Harris Credits Jim Harbaugh for Chargers Contract: HC is 'Life of the Party'

When asked what drew him to the Los Angeles Chargers, running back Najee Harris had a ready answer: "Playing for Harbaugh."

"When we even played against them, I've seen the type of team they're on the rise to be, and I want to be a part of that," Harris said during Friday's introductory press conference.

Harris, who left the Pittsburgh Steelers to sign a one-year deal with the Chargers in free agency, said he met Harbaugh when the former Michigan head coach recruited him as a high school senior in 2017.

"He always was energetic. Man, he's always the life of the party. He's just a good guy to be around. He's down to earth, and he makes you feel comfortable," Harris said.

According to Harris, Harbaugh wanted to announce the homecoming queen at the game, so he "took the mic in front of everybody and called out the homecoming queen."

"That's just how much of a down-to-earth, cool guy he is," Harris said.

Harris recorded more than 1,000 rushing yards in each of his four seasons with the Steelers, who declined his $6.7 million fifth-year option ahead of the 2024 season.

His one-year contract with the Chargers includes a base value of $5.25 million, including a $3.75 million signing bonus and $1.5 million base salary, per NBC Sports' Mike Florio.

Harris has the ability to make up an additional $4 million more through incentives built around rushing yards, according to Florio.

The Chargers have not had a player run for more than 1,000 yards in a single season since Melvin Gordon in 2017. Harris will look to change that pattern this fall while giving Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman another tool with which to field a run-first offense.