Marvin Harrison Jr.’s Fit in Jim Harbaugh’s Offense Amidst $25 Million Salary Cap Concerns

Jim Harbaugh and the Los Angeles Chargers may be the ones with the toughest decision to make. Stepping in as the new HC, Jim Harbaugh, and new GM Joe Hortiz are met with four high-priced players in the team with at least a $32 million salary cap each. While they have a very good team, their 5-12 record last season says the players in the team aren’t performing the worth of their best prices. The Chargers are currently more than $25 million over the salary cap and this is going to be an issue for new players to come in. 

With the recent turn of events, the Chargers might get a chance to draft Ohio State elite WR Marvin Harrison Jr. if the Arizona Cardinals decide to trade their fourth-round pick. But even so, Jim Harbaugh still faces the hassle of acting fast to clear off the salary cap, which means that he’ll have to let go of one of his players to become cap-compliant. But how is Marvin Harrison Jr. going to fit in with the Chargers’ offense?

Marvin Harrison Jr. could prove a gem for Justin Herbert in LA

The Chargers already have a crown jewel in their QB Justin Herbert and Jim Harbaugh is going to do all he can to develop him. This means he might be interested in bringing Marvin Harrison Jr. who won the Biletnikoff Award in 2023. The 21-year-old is entering the 2024 NFL Draft as the favorite No. 4 pick with 2,474 yards and 14 TDs in receiving in his two starting seasons at Ohio State. 

Given that their WR Mike Williams tore his ACL in 2023 and the new 2023 draft Quentin Johnston as the backup QB, it would do well for Harbaugh to let go of one of his players to make room for the elite WR. Johnston still has time to prove himself as a receiver but opportunities to draft players like Harrison Jr. don’t come often. And with the new HC looking to build an SB-winning lineup, sacrifices may be mandatory.

Who would the Chargers likely cut off?

For the Chargers to become cap-compliant, they’re going to have to sacrifice one of their high-salaried players which will either be Khalil Mack ($38 million annual average value), Joey Bosa ($36 million AAV), Keenan Allen ($34 million AAV) or Mike Williams ($32 million AAV). Based on injuries and performance, the Chargers might want to cut Bosa or Williams. But if they consider cutting Bosa, it’s not going to benefit them much because he already has a $22 million dead cap hit for 2024. 

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As per what Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz said, “The Chargers are in a little bit of a peculiar position because their cap is just not good. They have to decide on what they are going to do with Mike Williams. Is that a cut [or] is that a restructure?” Mike Williams played only three games last season due to his injury. If the Chargers release him, their cap savings could mount to $20 million. In times like this, sacrifices are necessary but it remains up to the Chargers head honcho and GM to make the call. 

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