The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a particularly active offseason and free agency period in 2025, featured by strategic acquisitions of new talent to improve their roster alongside departures of some familiar faces. While the unresolved vacancy at the starting quarterback position has undeniably dominated media coverage and fan discussions, capturing a significant share of the offseason narrative, a lot of other compelling storylines and personnel changes within the Steelers' organization have also gained considerable attention from the media landscape and piqued the interest of fans.
One notable development during the Steelers' offseason activities was the departure of their former starting running back, Najee Harris. After four seasons with the team, Harris signed a new contract with the Los Angeles Chargers, a move that occurred after the Steelers made the decision not to exercise the fifth-year option on his initial rookie contract. Interestingly, upon joining the Chargers and reflecting on his time in Pittsburgh, Harris offered some remarks that were perceived by many as less than entirely positive concerning his experiences and the environment during his time with the Steelers.
In his comments, Harris alluded to the exceptional nature of the facilities and resources available within the Chargers' organization, notably saying that such provisions were not like that everywhere, a sentiment that many people assumed was a comparison to his experiences during his four-year tenure in Pittsburgh. This subtle jab from Harris gains additional context when considering the recent findings of the NFL Players Association's (NFLPA) annual facilities report card, an evaluation based on player feedback regarding various aspects of their team's working environment. In this most recent report, the Steelers once again received less than favorable reviews, unfortunately landing at a lowly No. 28 ranking out of the league's 32 teams.
In a recent press conference, Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin was presented with the opportunity to address the recent comments made by Harris, regarding his experiences and the facilities during his time with the organization. Taking the podium, Coach Tomlin engaged with the media, offering his perspective and insights on the situation, and providing his response to the statements made by the now-Chargers player.
"I’m not going to comment on someone else's opinion. Everyone’s entitled to theirs," Tomlin said.
Continuing his response to the remarks made by former Steelers running back Harris, Tomlin consistently maintained a tone of respect and positivity, offering only complimentary sentiments and acknowledging the contributions of the player during his time with the team.
In his further remarks, Tomlin refrained from any negative commentary, choosing instead to focus on the positive aspects of Harris' tenure with the Steelers and expressing well wishes for his future endeavors with his new team in Los Angeles.
"We had a great experience with Naj, man. We appreciate his efforts over the four years that he was here with us, and I nothing but wish him the best as he moves forward with his career," Tomlin continued.
This consistent display of positive regard from Tomlin shows the significant respect he held for Harris and the valuable contributions the running back made during his time with the Steelers. Throughout his time on the team, Harris consistently demonstrated his capabilities as a premier ball carrier, achieving the impressive milestone of rushing for over 1,000 yards in each of his seasons with the team, a testament to his consistent production and workload. Known for his powerful and physical running style, Harris possesses a skill set that strongly suggests he has the potential to embark on a highly successful and impactful career with the Chargers.
The Steelers' Running Back Corps Now
Despite the mixed emotions within the fan base following Harris' departure, with some expressing sadness at his leaving and others taking issue with his subsequent remarks, the focus must now shift towards the future trajectory of the Steelers' running back corps. While the team has secured the services of former Philadelphia Eagles running back Kenneth Gainwell, reports suggest that the Steelers are also seriously considering selecting a running back in the rapidly approaching 2025 NFL Draft.
Although Jaylen Warren remains a valuable asset on the roster, the draft presents a significant avenue for the Steelers to potentially identify and acquire their next long-term solution in the backfield. However, a segment of the fan base has voiced concerns that the Steelers might inadvertently repeat a similar scenario to the one involving Harris, ultimately allowing another promising running back to depart the organization down the line.
