The Pittsburgh Steelers surprised many people by declining running back Najee Harris' fifth-year option. The former first-round pick has been durable in his three seasons in the league starting in all 51 games since he was drafted. He hasn't been the most explosive runner with a career average of 3.9 yards per attempt, but has piled up three 1,000-plus yard seasons. Speaking for the first time at the Organized Team Activities that got underway on Tuesday, Head Coach Mike Tomlin addressed the franchise's choice.
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Steelers running back Najee Harris (#22) during a 2023 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Tomlin chose to speak in generalities, but answered reporters' questions about Harris from the team facilities on the South Side. He said a multitude of factors are involved when deciding this. He highlighted some particular aspects in a clip posted on X by 93.7 The Fan.
"It can reflect a lot of things, but there's probably some depth to those waters," Tomlin explained. "Sometimes it's positional related and things of that nature. There's a business component of this, and all decisions that we make. There's layers to it."
Tomlin didn't want to get into specifics and said that wouldn't be appropriate at this time.
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Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back, Najee Harris (#22) smiles as he participates in warmups before a 2023 training camp practice in Latrobe, PA.
Harris was Pittsburgh's bell cow back in his rookie season. He posted a league-high 381 touches. His role was reduced in his second season with the arrival of Jaylen Warren in 2022. In the 2023 season, the two split the backfield almost evenly with Harris on for 53% of offensive snaps and Warren in for 49%.
Steelers' Harris In A Pivotal Fourth Year In 2024, Whether His Future Is In Pittsburgh Or Not
There's been plenty of speculation about how Harris will respond to the team not picking up his option. Some think it will be a motivating factor, as he will have to earn a new contract from Pittsburgh or another franchise in free agency, while others wonder if it will upset him. Harris hasn't spoken since the team's decision.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers running back Najee Harris tries to find space to run against the Buffalo Bills in their 2023 AFC Wild Card matchup in Orchard Park, NY.
Harris is expected to benefit from the team's hiring of Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith, who will likely deploy a run-heavy scheme. When Smith worked for the Tennessee Titans, he helped Derrick Henry explode into the powerful force he has become.
Harris' future is very much up in the air. He needs to have a big year in 2024 to clear it up.
What did you think of Tomlin's comments about Harris' option? Did it give you any inclinations about his future? Comment below!
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