N※N

Chargers announce starting RB in Omarion Hampton vs. Najee Harris competition for Week 1 | Sporting News

  //sports-competition.news-articles.net/content/2 .. harris-competition-for-week-1-sporting-news.html
  Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, September 4th 2025 at 14:20 GMT by Sporting News
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

Los Angeles Chargers Name Omarion Hampton Starting RB for Week 1 as Najee Harris Joins the Depth‑Chart Battle

The 2023 Los Angeles Chargers are setting the stage for the NFL’s new season with a clear decision on who will line up in the backfield for their opening game. Head coach Brandon Staley announced that Omarion Hampton will be the team’s starting running back for Week 1, with Najee Harris – the former Pittsburgh Steelers star who was signed earlier this month – poised to compete for a roster spot as the secondary option.

Why Omarion Hampton Starts

Hampton has been the Chargers’ most reliable yard‑gainer in recent years. In 2022, the veteran back carried the ball 212 times for 1,311 yards (a 4.1 yards‑per‑carry average) and added 15 receptions for 114 yards. His production helped the franchise move from a 3‑13 record in 2021 to a 4‑13 finish in 2022, and the coaching staff felt that his familiarity with the offensive system would help the team jump‑start its offense.

When Staley unveiled the depth chart on Thursday, he emphasized the importance of consistency early in the season. “Omarion has been the backbone of our offense in the last few years,” Staley said. “He’s the one who knows the playbook inside and out and can help the younger players get acclimated to our scheme.”

Hampton’s experience also comes in handy on the defensive side of the ball, as he will be the first to call out defensive fronts and help the defensive line adjust in real time. That kind of leadership is precisely what the Chargers are looking for after a 4‑13 season that left the team in a rebuilding phase.

Najee Harris – The Fresh Competition

The Chargers’ acquisition of Najee Harris on Thursday morning is a sign that the organization wants to build depth behind Hampton. Harris finished the 2022 season with the Steelers as a 1,410‑yard rusher and 6 touchdowns, and he added 22 receptions for 154 yards. He is considered one of the league’s best dual‑role backs, and his arrival is expected to push both Hampton and the rookie running backs on the roster to raise their performance levels.

Harris’s addition also provides a “safety net” for the Chargers, who have a shaky offensive line that has struggled to protect the quarterback. “Having Najee in the mix gives us a solid option if we need to adjust the offense or if our starter gets injured,” Staley explained. “He can take a handoff, run a pass‑option play, or even catch a pass out of the backfield.”

The signing of Harris is part of a larger effort to build a balanced offense. The Chargers have also signed a number of backup players – including former Bengals full‑back Darius Jackson and rookie running back Josh Williams – who are ready to jump into the role if the competition requires it.

Roster Moves and Draft Impact

The Chargers’ depth chart will also reflect a number of offseason roster changes. They released veteran full‑back Tyrell Williams and traded their third‑round pick in the 2023 draft to the Dallas Cowboys in a package that brought in additional offensive line help. The new offensive line will be key to protecting the quarterback and opening lanes for the running game.

In addition to the backfield, the Chargers added two defensive linemen and a linebacker in the offseason, aiming to shore up a front that had been the weak point of the team during the previous season. The new front line is expected to give Staley more freedom to call the running game because the team will be better positioned to stop blitzes and contain the run.

Week 1 Game Preview

Los Angeles will open the season at home against the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks have a strong offensive line that has been a challenge for the Chargers’ offense in 2022. The Chargers will need Hampton’s power running to help create mismatches and to keep the Seahawks’ secondary off‑balance.

The Seahawks’ defense will also test the Chargers’ depth, and the coaching staff will likely use the game as a way to evaluate the rest of the backfield. “We’ll keep looking for a consistent performance from the entire group,” Staley said. “But Omarion is the guy who will be the face of our offense for now.”

The game is set to begin at 3:25 p.m. PT, and fans will see whether Hampton can maintain his high level of production and how Harris will integrate into the playbook.

The Bigger Picture

The Chargers’ decision to start Omarion Hampton in Week 1 is a signal that the team values experience and continuity as they try to turn around a franchise that has struggled in the last two seasons. While Najee Harris’s arrival is meant to provide depth and increase competition, it also showcases the organization’s desire to bring fresh talent into the mix.

The 2023 season will test whether the Chargers can keep their rookie quarterback, Justin Herbert, productive by giving him a steady running game that can balance his passing attacks. The Chargers’ offensive coordinator, Dan Quinn, highlighted the importance of a flexible running scheme that can adapt to both Hampton’s power runs and Harris’s versatility.

As the season unfolds, the Chargers will have to keep the front line strong and the offensive line cohesive to create space for the backfield. The question will be whether Hampton can maintain his level of production and whether Najee Harris will emerge as a complementary playmaker who can help the Chargers stay competitive on both sides of the ball.

With a clear starting backfield, a robust depth chart, and a focus on protecting the quarterback, the Chargers will look to make a splash in Week 1 and begin building momentum that could see them finish with a winning record.