The Pittsburgh Steelers surprised many when they declined running back Najee Harris' fifth-year option. If they had exercised it, they would have paid him $6.79 million for 2025. Now, the former Alabama standout will be a free agent at the end of the 2024 season, and the question is where he will end up next season.
The cost is one of the main reasons fans were confused about why the team didn’t keep him. Running backs have been devalued all over the NFL in recent years, but paying less than $7 million for a starting back seems reasonable, especially one who had 1,000-plus yards in each of his first three seasons.
General Manager Omar Khan said they decided to see how Harris performed this season under new Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith. Harris’ best season in black and gold was arguably his rookie season with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. In his subsequent seasons, he dealt with an underperforming offensive line, mismanagement from then-Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada, and inconsistent quarterback play. That made Khan’s explanation make sense, although no one seemed to buy it.
Then Harris came out in the 2024 season playing like his future was on the line, and in many ways, it was. He is playing either hoping the Steelers decide to keep him, or as an audition for the other 31 NFL teams. He has been impressive enough that some think Pittsburgh may choose to use their franchise tag on him.
Brian Batko from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette doesn’t think he’s getting franchise-tagged. He recently joined the Joe Starkey Show on 93.7 The Fan and said once they declined the option, he never thought there was a chance he’d return to the team. Batko said Pittsburgh is surely grateful for how he ran hard, but what he’s done isn’t all that different from what he’d done in prior seasons.
“I think he, too, wouldn’t mind a fresh start,” said Batko. “The team that I mentioned in my chat the other day when someone asked about him was the Las Vegas Raiders. We all know Marshawn Lynch was his mentor, another Oakland guy. They still have the same agent and stuff like that. They’ll be in the position, I think, to draft a rookie and probably pay a running back. So I think that would be pretty cool if Najee ends up in Vegas next year, I just don’t see him back here."
Harris and Marshawn Lynch have some connections. They are both from the Bay Area in California - Harris is from Antioch, only about 30 miles from Lynch’s hometown of Oakland. In addition to sharing an agent, Harris also signed with Lynch’s company, Beast Mode Marketing Agency. Harris’ father lived in Washington, where Lynch played for the Seattle Seahawks.
With his bruising style, Harris has frequently been compared to Lynch during his career. On top of all the other similarities, Harris is now playing with Lynch’s former quarterback, Russell Wilson. Lynch and Wilson won a Super Bowl together when they were both Seahawks.
Are The Steelers Making A Mistake?
Harris has been a solid contributor during his time in Pittsburgh. He is durable, hard-working, and possesses freak athletic abilities. However, he is not at the same level as Saquon Barkley or Derrick Henry.
Former Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell recently pointed out that teams that have let their running backs go, like the New York Giants and the Tennessee Titans, are struggling this season. Bell said that teams must consider the importance of running backs and a balanced offense in football.
While the Steelers will likely keep Jaylen Warren, the two have performed better together than individually. If the Steelers allow Harris to walk, they will look for one in the draft or free agency.
