The Pittsburgh Steelers had a lot of players hit free agency during the 2025 offseason, so there was little doubt that the team's turnover would be massive. Some of those changes were a bit of a surprise, but others, like running back Najee Harris, were expected.
During the 2024 offseason, the Steelers declined the fifth-year option on Harris' rookie contract, making him a free agent when the season ended. While there was always a chance they could work something out with him, most agreed that didn't seem likely.
Harris was with the Steelers for four seasons, and his former teammate, Cameron Heyward, was there for all of them. He was asked on his podcast, Not Just Football with Cam Heyward, about playing with Harris and how he feels about him moving on. Heyward told his co-host Hayden Walsh he hates questions like this because it sounds like you are eulogizing the former player when Harris has just gone on to a better situation with the Los Angeles Chargers.
"I got a lot of respect for Naj," said Heyward. "He had a thousand yards every year he was in the league. I think that is very underrated. Fans always wanted more, but didn't understand the work Naj put in, one of the harder workers. Sometimes, you gotta protect him from himself. But when it came to ball, Naj was always locked in. Great person. He's going to go on and do great things; it's just not with the Pittsburgh Steelers. I'm excited for him; I think he will have a bright future; he's a West Coast guy, so it feels like a match made in heaven."
A native of the Bay Area in California, Harris was a standout at the University of Alabama, helping them win two National Championships. However, he was immediately a polarizing figure in Pittsburgh after the Steelers drafted him in the first-round in 2021. The running back position as a whole has been devalued across the NFL, and the usage of a first-round pick on one seemed crazy to many fans.
However, it is hard to deny that during his time in the Steel City, Harris made an impact. Indeed, he didn't break off the many long runs the fans wanted, but he was durable and reliable. He never missed a game and picked up over 1,000 yards each season in Pittsburgh, despite all the challenges. It is no surprise that his best season was his rookie one with Ben Roethlisberger. After Roethlisberger left, things went downhill. Harris played for six different quarterbacks in four years and three different offensive coordinators if you count the acting group that filled in when Matt Canada was fired. In addition, he did all of that behind a weak offensive line that was in the process of being rebuilt.
Steelers Facilities Once Again In The Spotlight
When Harris joined the Chargers, he did his obligatory media event where he was introduced to the city. He was asked about the change, and Harris commented in such a way that it seemed like he was taking shots at the Steelers.
He gushed about how nice the Chargers' facilities are, saying it isn't like this everywhere, adding it reminded him of Alabama's notorious plush facilities. Well, the only other "everywhere" Harris has been is Pittsburgh.
This shouldn't surprise anyone; the Steelers come under fire every year during the NFLPA survey regarding the conditions of their locker rooms. The team shares the building with the University of Pittsburgh, limiting the space they have to add or make changes. Most insiders believe the Steelers must disengage from Pitt and move outside the city to build a better space.
