The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in a crucial situation at the running back position. Najee Harris is now a free agent, while Jaylen Warren is a restricted free agent. The Steelers are not expected to invest in keeping both players, leading many to believe Harris will sign elsewhere. However, some haven't entirely ruled out a potential return for him in Pittsburgh. The situation remains fluid, but for many Steelers fans, it seems Harris' time in Pittsburgh is likely coming to an end.
Heading into 2024, the running game was expected to see significant improvement under new Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith, but it hasn’t lived up to expectations. Both Harris and Warren had underwhelming seasons, leaving the Steelers’ front office with a tough decision on how to address the running back position moving forward. Despite a strong emphasis on the running game from Head Coach Mike Tomlin and Smith, it has been clear that the team has not had the right personnel to make it work effectively.
With that in mind, the 2025 offseason is critical for the Steelers to get it right. They can’t afford to enter the 2025 season with the same running back and offensive situation. Steelers insider Mark Kaboly shared his insights on what the running back position will ultimately look like in Pittsburgh, offering his take in a recent mailbag.
"They will RFA tender Warren, and he will return," Kaboly said. "They will draft a running back and add a veteran in free agency. Najee Harris will sign elsewhere."
The 2025 NFL Draft class is packed with elite running back talent, so much so that many believe teams will still find valuable options on Day 2 and 3. This makes it clear that the Steelers would be better off letting Harris seek a bigger contract elsewhere, while taking advantage of a younger, cheaper, and more promising option in the draft. A rookie would offer more upside with less wear and tear on their body.
That said, Harris hasn't been terrible. In fact, he's accomplished a lot during his four seasons in Pittsburgh. He’s been a reliable workhorse, never missing a game and rushing for over 1,000 yards in each season. For someone who’s endured the punishment he has, while still producing for a struggling offense and a weak offensive line, it’s easy to see why some Steelers fans remain loyal to Harris.
On the other hand, Warren has often looked more effective than Harris when given the chance. Warren would be a more affordable option, and with the potential to draft a running back in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Steelers could build around a young, talented player. According to Kaboly, the Steelers might even look to add a veteran running back through free agency to further bolster their backfield.
Steelers Running Game Simply Has To Change Because It Hasn't Worked
Despite the Steelers’ attempts to rely on the running game, it simply hasn’t been as successful as they hoped. The lack of consistent production from the running game is enough to signal that something likely needs to change. Kaboly believes this change could begin with Harris moving on and signing elsewhere for the 2025 season, marking the start of a new direction for the Steelers' offense.
When the Steelers selected Harris in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, expectations were sky-high. While Harris has been consistently productive, he hasn’t quite met those lofty expectations. Too often, he has struggled to get the run game going, though it’s clear that the issues aren't entirely on him.
In the NFL, however, production is what matters most, and the circumstances surrounding Harris's performance have not been enough to change the narrative. This is likely why the Steelers opted not to pick up Harris' fifth-year option, and as we approach the 2025 season, it seems increasingly probable that he will be playing elsewhere. The Steelers must now look ahead, ready to make bold decisions to reshape their running game and offense for the future.
