While we sit in the middle of the NFL offseason, training camp is not too far away, and some players are still looking for homes. Many unsigned veterans have no problem waiting until training camp, or even a little later, to find a team, which allows them to avoid much of the offseason activities. One of those players is veteran running back Najee Harris. He is still unsigned but looking for a new opportunity after spending last season with the Los Angeles Chargers.
He played only three games for the Chargers before suffering a season-ending torn Achilles tendon. Now, many teams are rightfully questioning Harris’ health and what he can add to an offense in 2026. However, there are always teams looking for running backs, and it appears the Cincinnati Bengals and Green Bay Packers are among the teams being floated.
Najee Harris Looking for Another Opportunity
Harris was one of the most durable running backs in the NFL to begin his career. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021 and started all 17 games for four consecutive seasons. Over that time, he rushed for 4,312 yards and 28 touchdowns while adding six receiving scores. However, it became evident that Harris lost a step his final season in Pittsburgh, which is why they had no issues letting him leave in free agency.
Harris made his name on durability and volume, not efficiency, and PFN’s Impact metric shows it. Harris ran for 1,000-plus yards in each of his four Pittsburgh seasons, and his RB Impact grades sit in a steady 73.9 to 77.7 band that hovers right around the average back’s mark of 75. His rookie year was the peak: a 77.7 grade on 1,667 scrimmage yards, 10 touchdowns, and a heavy 401 touches. But the negative rush-yards-over-expected figures every season point to the main knock on his game, which is that he rarely created extra yardage beyond what his blocking gave him.
But a player with the experience and production of Harris is worth a look, and Bleacher Report believes the Bengals and Packers are potential suitors. The Bengals could use a backup for Chase Brown, and Harris presents a different style of play.
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He is a big, bruising runner, while Brown has more finesse and plays a large role on third down. As for the Packers, there is some uncertainty surrounding Josh Jacobs due to his off-field incident this offseason. Harris could make sense as a backup for them until everything with Jacobs gets sorted out.
Running back has the shortest shelf life in the NFL, and it will be interesting to see if Harris looks healthy when he takes the field again. He is 28 years old, and Achilles injuries often have a long, grueling recovery. Yet he has shown video of himself sprinting on a treadmill this offseason, which could entice a team to give him a look. Harris’ days as a starting running back and 1,000+ yard rusher are likely over, but he could still be a contributor in the right situation.
