Steve Smith blasts Chargers for not playing this Justin Herbert weapon enough

Steve Smith Sr. has seen enough of the Los Angeles Chargers making Tre Harris wait.

The former NFL star receiver recently criticized how the Chargers handled Harris during his rookie season on his podcast, arguing that the 2025 second-round pick wasn’t given enough opportunities to showcase why Los Angeles drafted him so highly.

Steve Smith on Tre Harris pic.twitter.com/TjhWg9wfH7

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Harris spent much of last season behind Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, and Keenan Allen, limiting his opportunities in the passing game. When Harris did get onto the field, he was often asked to contribute as a blocker.

Smith doesn’t want to hear that Harris is still “growing into his role.”

“No, he ain’t growing; he is waiting,” Smith said.

Smith then took his criticism of Los Angeles even further.

“You put him in a situation where you are stunting his growth,” Smith said. “You didn’t allow him to figure out what and why you drafted in the second round. A guy who doesn’t have any wasted movement, can get into the teeth of the defense, and punish you with the ball in his hands. But what did you have him do? Blocking…”

There was an obvious reason Harris struggled to find consistent targets last season. Allen was still around, while McConkey and Johnston already had established roles with Justin Herbert.

That’s no longer the case. Allen is gone, opening the door for Harris to enter Week 1 as the Chargers’ WR3 behind McConkey and Johnston. Rookie Brenen Thompson is also pushing for opportunities after an impressive start to training camp, meaning Harris still has to earn his targets.

The Chargers drafted Harris in the second round because they believed he could eventually develop into another dangerous weapon for Herbert. Los Angeles desperately needs its young playmakers to take another step if this offense is going to reach its potential under Mike McDaniel.

Smith clearly believes Harris already has the talent. Now he wants the Chargers to actually let him prove it.

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