REPORT: New Los Angeles Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh has Elite Giants RB Saquon Barkley at the ‘Top of his List’

Former Michigan Wolverines national championship-winning head coach Jim Harbaugh was recently hired as the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, and there are already reports surfacing about what he plans to do with the team.

According to former Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Ryan Leaf, who was teammates with Jim Harbaugh, the Chargers will be targeting New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley.

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley said he could see himself in a different uniform, and that uniform might be Jim Harbaugh’s Los Angeles Chargers

In an article from Complex, Saquon Barkley explained that he could see himself in a different uniform, despite initially thinking he would retire as a New York Giant.

“Yeah, I mean it never crossed my mind until last year after I got tagged. Up until that moment, I really believe that I was gonna finish my career as a New York Giant. You know, that was a goal of mine. And that’s still in play. I have so much respect for the Mara family and the Tisch family and everyone in the Giants organization,” Barkley said.

“They know that but once you get to this point, you go to your contract negotiation and you go through the tag process, you realize how much of a business it is. And I remember vets always telling me this and you know I believed them, but you don’t really know something until you go through it. So could I see myself in another uniform? Yeah, it’s possible.”

Barkley rushed for over 1,000 yards in three of his seven NFL seasons, and he was just 38 yards away from doing so again this season in only 14 games played. In 2022, which was just the second time Barkley played in 16 or more games, Barkley had 1,312 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns.

Barkley has over 5,000 yards rushing in his career, and he adds an extra facet to the offense with his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. He had over 700 yards receiving in his rookie season, and he has 2,100 yards receiving throughout his entire career.

Saquon Barkley’s 1st NFL TD reception is thrown by…OBJ!#NYGvsCAR pic.twitter.com/9qQ50FShSq

— History of Sports (@BeforeFamePics) October 7, 2018

50th reception of the season for Saquon Barkley #NYG pic.twitter.com/kjZaNztH78

— Ethan aka The People’s Insider (@EthanGSN) October 28, 2018

Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler appears to have lost a step, and HC Jim Harbaugh may try to replace him with Saquon Barkley

For the first time since 2020, Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler had under 900 yards and single-digit rushing touchdowns on the ground. Ekeler’s 3.5 yards per carry was the worst in his entire NFL career. Ekeler also tied his season-high number of three fumbled, two of which were lost.

Ekeler, like Saquon Barkley, is known for his ability to impact the game out of the backfield. Ekeler has just under 4,000 yards receiving in his career, but his 436 yards receiving this year was the lowest since 2020. His singular receiving touchdown marked the fewest receiving touchdowns Ekeler has ever had.

Los Angeles Chargers head coach realizes that he should move on from Ekeler, and that is why rumblings of going after Saquon Barkley have begun.

Ryan Leaf says #Giants Saquon Barkley is at the top of #Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh’s list 👀

(h/t @gmfb)pic.twitter.com/RoIf3XZLnp

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) February 2, 2024

When Jim Harbaugh first became the coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, reports surfaced that if players on the team did not get a text from him, it should be considered a “major red flag.”

According to @TonyPauline , Coach Harbaugh has reached out to players via text message.

“If you’re on the #Chargers roster but didn’t get a text from Harbaugh, it’s a major red flag.” 🚩 pic.twitter.com/gevsDhHlvF

— Chargers Country (@ChargersCountry) January 28, 2024

Many Chargers fans joked that running back Austin Ekeler was among those who did not receive a text from Jim Harbaugh. It turns out they may have been right if Harbaugh is planning to go after a big-name running back in free agency. Contrary to Ekeler, Harbaugh openly praised quarterback Justin Herbert.

Joey bosa and Austin ekeler when harbaugh said he’s pretty much talked to all the players and they just went through their missed call 75 times and still don’t see his number pic.twitter.com/fI7DFiy0WO

— Mylìk ⚡️ (@mdatheREALMCCOY) February 1, 2024

Jim Harbaugh was “starstruck” meeting Justin Herbert

Jim Harbaugh meeting Austin Ekeler: pic.twitter.com/7p6ZC270OP

— pinkpanther (@pinkpanther4056) January 30, 2024

Austin Ekeler when he didn’t receive the text message from Harbaugh https://t.co/F5MNhUSzoi pic.twitter.com/Jse40xRFmx

— T (@MoneySignHill) January 28, 2024

Ekeler signed a four-year contract in 2020, which means he is an unrestricted free agent in 2024. Saquon Barkley is coming off of a one-year contract with the Giants, which means he is also an unrestricted free agent.

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