The Pittsburgh Steelers shocked a good amount of the football world when the organization decided to decline Najee Harris' fifth-year option for the 2025 season. The running back has been healthy throughout his career since being drafted in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, but the emergence of Jaylen Warren may have led the franchise to believe that the position isn't so much about the person playing it, but the big men up front blocking for the ball-carrier. Overall, the future of the running back position in the Steel City is up in the air.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers running back Najee Harris on the field at Acrisure Stadium prior to a 2022 preseason game in Pittsburgh, PA.
One can read into whatever he or she would like, but it certainly seems like Harris wanted nothing to do with questions regarding his contract situation after the team's first day of Organized Team Activities (OTAs) on Tuesday. Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that the team's top running back did not want to speak to the media after months have gone by since a playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Najee Harris declined an interview request following today's practice. He has not spoken since the Steelers declined his fifth-year option.
— Ray Fittipaldo (@rayfitt1) May 21, 2024
Before getting into any conspiracy theories, Harris communicated with the coaching staff that he would be a little bit tardy to the practice and Mark Kaboly of The Athletic made sure to confirm that on social media shortly after Fittipaldo's post.
Najee Harris a late arrival to OTA1. Tomlin said he was excused because of a conflict that the team knew about. pic.twitter.com/vnQShOHnaj
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) May 21, 2024
It's fair to mention that Harris could have been dealing with a personal matter, but Fittipaldo and Kaboly having no other specifics certainly could lead to one thinking that Fittipaldo's report of no media access warrants intrigue.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter/ X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers running back Najee Harris (#22) stands on the field at Acrisure Stadium before a 2022 regular season game against the New York Jets in Pittsburgh, PA.
Harris will have to speak to the media at some point in the coming weeks and there is no doubt that he will be asked about the team declining his fifth-year option. Whatever the reason was, there are only two outcomes.
The Steelers could have the vision of extending him for just a couple years in order to get the most out of his prime, or, the front office believes the current state of his position doesn't require a long-term solution. No one on the outside knows to this point what the plan is, but Head Coach Mike Tomlin did mention on Tuesday that it was a business decision.
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Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin smiles in the direction of his players during a 2023 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Steelers Are Set Up With Monster Running Back Duo In 2024
No one knows for sure what will end up happening when it comes to Pittsburgh's running back situation. Harris is a workhorse, but failed to truly excel at the professional level when it comes to expectations that are related to a first-round pick. Warren has had incredible production after being undrafted. It's not a bad argument for one to believe the team should let Harris walk in 2025 and sign Warren as a restricted free agent.
Do you think that Harris skipped out on media interviews to avoid questions about his fifth-year option being declined? Let us know in the comments below!
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