The Pittsburgh Steelers have been built around running the football since their inception. They were the last team to abandon the single-wing as their primary offense in 1952. Steelers fans, if they are honest, would rather see a six-yard run for a first down than a 15-yard pass. Only Ben Roethlisberger could temporarily infuse an appreciation for the air attack. Even that did not last for his whole career.
Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images
Steelers' Najee Harris breaks tackles against the Colts.
In 2021, Art Rooney II suggested they emphasize the running game again. In response, Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin selected Najee Harris with their first-round pick. Selecting a running back in the first round of the NFL Draft is frowned upon by the analytics mob in the modern NFL. The move has been widely panned and criticized by many local and national media figures.
All of this was true before the Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs debacle. Dalvin Cook is still looking for work and Austin Ekeler, who demanded a trade, is going to be playing for the Los Angeles Chargers for what he is contractually obligated to play for in 2023. After a Zoom call with top running backs, many took to social media to voice their displeasure, including the Steelers' Harris.
I agree with my running back brothers around the NFL- history will show that you need running backs to win- we set the tone every game and run through walls for our team and lead in many ways- this notion that we deserve less is a joke. https://t.co/rWJkGIEgmW
— Najee Harris (@ohthatsNajee22) July 17, 2023
Harris and the Steelers should be a match made in heaven. He demonstrated in the second half of last season that he was a punishing runner. He threw defenders to the ground forcefully as he broke tackles violently. It was exactly what the Steelers were expecting when they drafted him. The problem is that his first 24 games in the league had left a significant portion of fans sour on his potential.
rolltide.com
Steelers RB Najee Harris leaps a defender in college.
Part of the issue is expectation. During his time as a running back for the Alabama Crimson Tide, Harris earned a reputation for the spectacular. Hurdling defenders and continuing down the field may have given the perception he was a shifty, nimble runner. He is not. Harris spent too much time in his first season and a half dancing, trying to avoid tacklers real and imagined in the Pittsburgh backfield.
The offensive line was awful in 2021 and it clearly affected his running style. Harris could never get going downhill and it caused hesitation. When Jaylen Warren entered the picture last season, behind an improved offensive line and began to be productive going north and south, it finally clicked. Harris lost some carries to Warren, but began to run with reckless abandon.
Steelers' Revamped Offensive Line Ranked 12th By PFF Heading Into 2023
The Steelers offensive line this season looks to be better than in 2022. Tomlin and Matt Canada have built a power running team that will rely heavily on Harris and Warren this season. If Harris has a productive season, the Steelers could exercise the fifth-year option on Harris which would pay him roughly $8.5 million dollars. The only issue is it could trigger a confrontation.
-544x306.jpg "Steelers Najee Harris")
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (@JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
Steelers running back Najee Harris (#22) takes a handoff from Kenny Pickett (#8) against the New York Jets in Pittsburgh, PA.
Assuming Harris has his third 1,000-yard season in a row, he will have a significant argument for more money. He would be due a total of $12 million dollars over his fourth and fifth-year seasons from the Steelers. Harris is a physical runner and might not want to count on Pittsburgh waiting two years to decide to pay him. Especially, with the specter of the franchise tag looming.
On the other hand, if the running-back market continues to tank, paying Harris almost double his 2024 salary in his fifth year might not appeal to the Steelers. Depending on his production and the current market, viable cheaper alternatives might exist. Pittsburgh has not typically embraced running back by committee, but if Canada is not retained at the end of 2023, the new coordinator just might.
Najee Harris Twitter Photo
Steelers' Najee Harris works out with Adrian Peterson.
Harris is built very similar to Derrick Henry and could take a major step forward like his Alabama Crimson Tide counterpart did. Henry had his first 1,000-yard rushing season in his third year. That was closely followed by the two best seasons of his career. The Steelers could benefit from the same leap, but if Harris does repeat Henry's performance, will they risk alienating him by insisting they get those years at a discount?
What do you think, Steeler Nation? If Harris has a great season, will he use the leverage of a holdout to force the Steelers into a decision on his fifth-year option? Please comment below, or on my TwitterX @thebubbasq.
#SteelerNation
