Pittsburgh Steelers running back, Najee Harris arrived at check-in for training camp to officially start his third season in the NFL. While Harris isn't quite to the point of contract negotiations, it is definitely looming on the not-too-distant horizon for him. Unfortunately for Harris, running backs are not being paid commensurate with their worth in today's market. Fortunately for all running backs, Harris is willing to stand beside them as a spokesperson. This is an issue that has the best chance of being resolved if these men stand together.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Kenny Pickett and Najee Harris celebrate the game's first touchdown in the first quarter Sunday at Acrisure Stadium against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Running backs all over the league have been voicing concerns over the way they are or aren't getting paid. While the topic isn't exactly new, it has been rekindled with recent complaints from New York Giants' Saquon Barkley, Dallas Cowboys' Tony Pollard, and Las Vegas Raiders' Josh Jacobs. This has led to other running backs speaking up to support them, including Harris.
The concern from players stems from the league's refusal to give running backs long-term, lucrative contracts that are equivalent to what other offensive players - like receivers and tight ends receive. This has led numerous running backs to talk about what some are calling the "running back myth," which says that backs wear out faster and don't last as long as other players. Cleveland Browns' Nick Chubb said that the running back is the only position that is penalized for great production.
Ian Johnson /Icon Sportswire/ Getty Images
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb has terrorized the Steelers and the AFC North for years now.
It is not just the running backs that are frustrated. In a league where quarterback contracts are ballooning at an alarming rate, players from other positions are speaking up on their behalf. This includes former Steelers linebacker, Arthur Moats, who recently talked about the unfairness of the pay differential on his podcast.
"Running backs are the janitors of the building. They do all the grunt work, you need them. If they're not there, you notice it, if they are not good, you really notice it. But at the same time, you're not going to pay the janitor what you pay the CEO, the manager, the director, or anybody else, even the security gets paid more, even O-line and tight ends get paid before running backs."
Steelers' Najee Harris Happy To Be With Team; Concerned For His Counterparts
As he was checking in at training camp in Latrobe, PA., Harris was stopped by reporters and asked how concerned he is about his future with the Steelers. Is he looking ahead to his contract negotiations? Harris made it clear that his frustrations are global and not directed at the front office in Pittsburgh.
"I have no vendetta versus the Steelers or nothing like that. I really like this organization. When it's my time to talk about that [contract extensions], I will, but right now I'm just speaking on behalf of all running backs."
He goes on to say that he feels that the running backs are major offensive contributors, but are not treated as such. While other positional players are able to secure their future, running backs are forced into situations where they have to sign one-year contracts or accept less than they deserve to play. The backs are put in a difficult situation, wanting to stand up for themselves, but not wanting to let down their teammates or fans.
"With the Saquon situation, Saquon is 30% of the offense, why can't they look at that? He said he's not trying to break the market or set the market, but he's trying to get compensated at what he thinks is fair. I know that [the organizations] know themselves, that that's not fair."
Barkley was a major component of the Giants' offense last season. He had 295 rushes for 1,312 yards and 10 touchdowns. As Moats pointed out, Barkley is responsible for making quarterback Daniel Jones look good, he IS the Giants' offense, carrying their successes on his back.
Stephen Maturen/GettyImages
New York Giants' Daniel Jones' huge contract has brought up questions on why star running back Saquon Barkley isn't getting paid what he is worth.
Yet Jones was given the long-term deal Barkley feels he deserves, inking a four-year $160,000,000 contract. Jones was given security that Harris says running backs are not. He finds this especially frustrating given that these backs make up, as he puts it, 30% of the offense and yet they do not get paid like the other 2/3.
"We don't have no security right now. You guys are using us to accomplish what you guys want, but when it's time for us to re-up or ask for something that we think is right, you guys just turn the cheek and say, 'Well you have wear and tear.' Come on, you know what you're trying to do, you're trying to utilize us as much as you can, get as much as you can for cheap, and then go get another back and do the same thing to him."
It is obvious that the running back issue won't be easily resolved. But it is also clear that Harris will need to have an excellent season in 2023 to be able to earn the kind of extension he is hoping for. After showing some inconsistencies last season due to injury, it has left some fans questioning the first-rounder.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers RB Najee Harris hurdles Chiefs CB L'Jarius Sneed on a run for a first down.
What do you think about the running back controversy? What do you think Harris will need to do this season to be able to earn an extension? Click to comment below.
#SteelerNation
