Ryan Leaf Says Chargers Are Likely to Pursue Saquon Barkley if He Enters Free Agency

Harbaugh’s ex-teammate predicts the Chargers will pursue a workhorse running back in free agency.

Jim Harbaugh is back in the NFL with the Los Angeles Chargers, and the veteran coach will have a chance to build the team the way he wants. While the Chargers could make many moves in hopes of improving last year’s five-win team, one former Harbaugh teammate believes the Bolts’ news coach has his eyes on one particular potential free agent.

Ex-NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf and Harbaugh played together for two years in 1999 and 2000 with the then-San Diego Chargers, which turned out to be Harbaugh’s final two years playing in the league. Leaf said he believes Harbaugh will want to establish the run in Los Angeles and probably will have interest in New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley in the offseason if he becomes available. However, the Giants could use the franchise tag on Barkley.

“I do think that Saquon Barkley is going to be at the top of [Harbaugh’s] list,” Leaf said Friday on NFL Network’s Good Morning Football. “It’s something I know that Jim Harbaugh wants to do. He wants to run the football, and he wants to use those guys down the field with play action.”

"He may be the most competitive person I've ever met..."@RyanDLeaf on former @chargers teammate and new Head Coach Jim Harbaugh pic.twitter.com/zBUwKNq5Xi

— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) February 2, 2024

Austin Ekeler has been the Chargers’ primary running back for in recent seasons, but the 28-year-old endured a down year in 2023 with just 628 rushing yards and 436 receiving yards. Ekeler is poised to become a free agent next month, so the Chargers could go in a different direction.

Barkley rushed for 962 yards in 14 games for the Giants (6–11) last season.