It’s going to be hard work for HC Jim Harbaugh, GM Joe Hortiz, and the Los Angeles Chargers to lure in new elite players. The Chargers are already more than $25 million over the salary cap. And this is an exclusion of the QBs. This is what the new GM said of the salary cap, “We’re still working through it. Obviously the cap got bumped up a little higher than I think everyone was expecting.”

Only six players in the NFL, excluding QBs, have a salary cap of at least $32 million. And the shocker is that four of them are from the Chargers namely, OLB Khalil Mack, OLB Joey Bosa, WR Keenan Allen, and WR Mike Williams. Could this mean that Jim Harbaugh would have to give up on his hopes of recruiting Saquon Barkley? 

Chargers high salary cap could lead to roadblocks

In a recent upload by NFL on ESPN, NFL analysts come together to talk about the future of the Chargers under their new GM and HC. With four of the players receiving over $32 million, they’re like the “cornerstone” players for the Chargers who they would like to retain. But at the same time, keeping them would mean sacrificing the arrival of new players. Hortiz said, “Give us some flexibility. A little bit more increased flexibility. We’ll kind of continue to talk through that over the next couple of weeks.”

Tim Hasselbeck viewed, “High cap hits for highly paid players on their team that they’d like to keep that might prevent them from being able to get somebody like Saquon Barkley who could be available and who would be a great fit for probably what they want to do offensively.” Jim Harbaugh is known for running the football and there might not be a greater prospect for him to sign than the former New York Giants RB who became a free agent in 2024.  

The odds of Saquon Barkley joining the LA Chargers

After the Giants placed him on a franchise tag last year, Saquon Barkley has become a free agent this offseason and is currently looking for a multiyear contract. With Jim Harbuagh looking to upgrade the running backs position, the Chargers are potentially interested in landing the New York native. According to former Chargers QB Ryan Leaf, Saquon Barkley is at the top of the HC’s list. 

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Barkley previously expressed his admiration and respect for Jim Harbaugh on the “Up & Adams Show.” He said, “I got nothing but respect for coach Harbaugh… and I’m a big fan of Justin Herbert. I think he is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. But hey, if the opportunity was able to present itself, I definitely wouldn’t be against it.” The 27-year-old RB missed three games last season but he still has 10 total TDs in his 2023 stats, which is his sixth season in the NFL. Time can only tell if Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers will be able to land the New York talent in their roster.

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