The Green Bay Packers have one of the best veteran running backs in the league with Josh Jacobs. But it might be prudent for the team to add depth behind Jacobs in the running back room before the 2026 NFL season.
While Jacobs is very durable, the running backs projected to be on Green Bay’s running back depth chart behind the starter are unproven options.
To remedy that issue, Pro Football Sports Network’s Jacob Infante predicted the Packers to sign veteran Najee Harris.
“After his 2025 season, there are more questions than answers about Najee Harris’ NFL future,” wrote Infante. “He played only three games with the Chargers due to injury, and he turned 28 in March.
“He shouldn’t be expected to take on the workload he did in Pittsburgh earlier in his career, but he should still be effective for depth as a power back.”
Harris ran for four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2021-24. He made the Pro Bowl as a rookie with 1,200 rushing yards during 2021.
In 2021, Harris led the NFL with 381 touches.
Could Packers Sign RB Najee Harris?
The Steelers picked Harris at No. 24 overall in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He immediately became a starter and remained a model of consistency even with consistent quarterback turnover in Pittsburgh.
From 2021-24, Harris averaged 1,078 rushing yards per season. He gained between 1,034 and 1,043 yards on the ground every year from 2022-24.
Harris also chipped in as a receiver. He had 180 catches for 1,149 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 68 games.
However, the Steelers declined the running back’s fifth-year option two years ago. In NFL free agency last season, Harris only landed a 1-year deal with the Los Angeles Chargers.
A fireworks accident then derailed that year from the very beginning. Then an Achilles injury ruined the season in September.
A July 4 fireworks accident left Harris with a “superficial” eye injury last summer. Because of the ailment, the running back began 2025 training camp on the NFI list. Harris didn’t make a preseason appearance for the Chargers.
Three games into the 2025 campaign, the running back sustained a season-ending injury to an Achilles tendon.
Harris was remarkably durable in four years with the Steelers. But his recent injury resume makes him a risky addition for teams this offseason.
The Packers could show interest, though, if they want to add experience to their offensive backfield. Harris has started 68 NFL games in his career.
The veteran running back isn’t likely to cost much. Harris signed with the Chargers last year on a 1-year, $5.25 million deal.
Spotrac projected his market value this offseason at $2.9 million on a 1-year contract.
Packers RB Depth in 2026 NFL Offseason
Including Jacobs, Green Bay is set to enter its offseason workouts with six running backs on its roster. Besides Jacobs, though, none of them have the experience Harris does.
During 2026 NFL free agency, the Packers lost backup running back Emanuel Wilson. He ran for roughly 500 yards on the ground each of the past two years.
The team is counting on Chris Brooks, MarShawn Lloyd, Pierre Strong Jr., Damien Martinez and Jaden Nixon replacing Wilson.
Jacobs is about as durable as running backs come. So, running back depth might not be as important to the Packers as other teams around the league.
But a team aiming to compete for a championship would be wise to have a second running back capable of starting if something happens to the starter.
Harris could provide that as a bit of a reclamation project in Green Bay this fall.
Since Harris doesn’t appear to have much of a market, the Packers could wait until training camp to gauge their confidence level in their young running back depth. If there are any doubts, the team could then pursue Harris.
This offseason, the veteran running back has visited the Seattle Seahawks and Las Vegas Raiders. But he left both teams without a contract.
Packers Predicted to Support Josh Jacobs By Adding Ex-Pro Bowl Power Back