The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2021 first-round draft pick was running back Najee Harris. He spent four seasons in Pittsburgh, always answering the call. Harris carried the ball 1,097 times for 4,312 rushing yards, averaging 3.9 yards per carry and scoring 28 touchdowns. He topped 1,000 rushing yards every season and never missed a game — a level of availability and workload few running backs can match.
However, that production didn’t convince the Steelers to pick up his fifth-year option. After the 2024 season, they chose to move in a new direction, drafting Kaleb Johnson in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Harris’ reliability wasn’t enough to overcome questions about efficiency, explosiveness, and whether he truly fit the future vision of the offense.
When discussing Johnson after the draft, Steelers Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith made comments that many fans took as a not-so-subtle dig at Harris. Without naming him, Smith emphasized traits in Johnson that seemed to contrast with Harris’ style, raising eyebrows. Whether it was intentional or not, the message was clear — the Steelers wanted something new in their backfield, and they weren’t shy about saying so.
"We want explosives," Smith said. "You’re not just plodding, not just 2, 3, 4 yards (with) multiple third-and-2’s and third-and-3. You’d like to get those chunk plays."
Steelers fans faced quite the conundrum with Harris. He regularly flashed moments of brilliance, but rarely delivered the kind of explosive, game-breaking plays that could change momentum. That lack of home-run potential often left the Steelers’ offense stuck in tough spots — particularly in 2024, when drives frequently stalled. Smith saw his unit face a troubling number of third-and-short situations, many of which failed to convert in key moments.
While Smith likely wasn’t trying to criticize Harris outright, his comments following the selection of Johnson hinted at why the team made the move. He focused on what they valued in Johnson, drawing a quiet contrast between the rookie and his predecessor. There had been some concern among fans and analysts that Johnson shared too many similarities with Harris — particularly in terms of speed — but that narrative hasn’t held up under scrutiny.
Pundits who have studied Johnson's tape extensively believe he brings a different element to the backfield. His vision, quickness, and ability to create yards after contact are areas where Harris often struggled. That’s what made Johnson stand out to the Steelers, and why they believe he’s a better fit for the offense moving forward.
The key with Johnson is that he brings traits to the table the Steelers felt Harris either lacked or didn’t consistently show. Harris was a serviceable back, and had he been drafted in the later rounds, he likely would’ve earned more praise from both Steelers fans and around the league. Instead, as a former first-round pick, expectations were higher. He’s widely viewed as a middle-of-the-pack runner — tough, physical, and dependable, but not someone who could tilt the field or redefine a game with his playmaking ability.
Steelers' Running Back Room Will Look Much Different In 2025
Now, the Steelers are turning the page. The backfield will feature Jaylen Warren, Johnson, and Kenneth Gainwell in a committee approach. While all three bring unique skill sets, many analysts believe Johnson could begin to chip away at the touches given to both Warren and Gainwell. Pittsburgh had some success with a two-headed system of Harris and Warren, but now Warren has a real opportunity to step into the lead role.
Johnson, meanwhile, is expected to be a strong complement and possibly more. His burst, vision, and shiftiness offer something different from the current group. Several observers believe that if he continues to progress, it’s only a matter of time before Johnson becomes the featured back, potentially as early as his rookie season.
