The Pittsburgh Steelers' top decision-makers are gathering this week at their facility to start fleshing out what the team will look like in 2025. They will decide if they will try to keep either of the two quarterbacks who started in 2024 and make an initial ruling on many of their free agents, including running back Najee Harris.
Harris was the Steelers' first-round selection in 2021 after a standout career at the University of Alabama. The fan base was immediately divided over the choice for multiple reasons. Some insisted it was too high to select a position that's become so undervalued in the NFL, others simply hate Alabama and weren't going to be happy with almost anyone from that team, and others felt the team had more significant needs.
While many will say Harris was a reach, the Steelers love to win on the ground, and he was arguably the best rookie running back in 2021. Unfortunately for Harris, the team had massive offensive issues. First, there was Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada. He was inept in nearly every way possible, including his running back usage. Second, the shoddy offensive line. While they have worked to improve the line, it isn't there yet. Third, inconsistent quarterbacks. During his four seasons in Pittsburgh, Harris has played with six different quarterbacks.
The team did not offer Harris a fifth-year extension on his rookie contract. Instead, they said they wanted to see how things went with the new offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith. The fact that the extension would have cost the team less than $7 million has most analysts assuming they aren't interested in bringing him back at all. On a recent episode of his podcast, Kaboly and Mack, Mark Kaboly from The Pat McAfee Show misspoke and accidentally suggested the Steelers draft a running back with their first-round pick in 2025. His co-host Chris Mack said there is no way he'd take a running back in the first round unless Ashton Jeanty from Boise State falls. Kaboly disagrees with taking even Jeanty.
"Forget that," said Kaboly with a thumbs-down motion. "No, you didn't learn your lesson already? I don't care if that's the second coming of Walter Payton."
Kaboly said he doesn't think the team should select a running back until the draft's second day, which would be rounds two and three. Currently, the Steelers have one pick in each of those rounds, but that could change based on what compensatory picks they receive.
Some mock drafts are on board with Kaboly's thinking, where the Steelers take a player like Quinshon Judkins from Ohio State in the second round. However, others speculate they might sign a veteran to partner with Jaylen Warren, perhaps someone like Raheem Mostert, who is looking for a new team.
Do The Steelers Have What They Need In Jaylen Warren?
Steelers fans fell in love with Warren when he joined the team as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2022. He was partnered with Harris, and the two formed a powerful running back duo. They are very different, and Warren has success in areas where Harris hasn't. This has led to many fans calling for the team to dump Harris and rely on Warren.
Many feel that Warren did not show enough to warrant taking over as the top running back on the team. They think he needs to be a 1A partnered with a 1B type of player, as he was with Harris. During the 2024 season, he had only 511 yards and one touchdown, not enough to inspire confidence. Part of the reason for his reduced stats was that Warren was injured and did not play as much as he has in the past. One significant benefit of Harris has been his availability. He has never missed a game.
