The Pittsburgh Steelers are headed into another season with massive expectations. After a busy offseason that has seen an overhaul of the offensive line and quarterback room, the expectation is that the offense will bounce back from a dreadful two year stint under former Offensive Coordinator, Matt Canada. Certain players will have higher standards set then others, perhaps no more than former first-round pick, Najee Harris.
Steelers.com
Running back Najee Harris traveled to Mexico, where the team has a huge fan base, to announce the Steelers' fourth-round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Harris, who was selected with the 24th overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft out of the University of Alabama, had his fifth-year option declined in early May, despite etching his name in Steelers history. With all the great running backs the organization has featured, ranging from Franco Harris to Le'Veon Bell, no one has had 1,000 rushing yards or more in their first three seasons until Najee. He accomplished this feat with 1,035 yards rushing in 2023.
Though he has made his mark over the past few seasons, he's never quite lived up to his status of a first-round selection. Rather than give up on the Steelers, Harris is using the opportunity as a challenge to be ready for the new season, and create insurance for the potential of seeing the first free agency period of his career.
Don Wright | Credit: AP
Steelers' Najee Harris.
As he heads into the final year of his rookie contract, Harris is preparing for a big jump in his production according to Harris' offseason trainer, Josh Scott. He gave his two sense to Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on the situation.
"It's all fueling his fire to have an even better season than last year and prove a lot of people wrong. There's a lot of people that hate on him for whatever reason, but he's been as consistent as you can be. He's durable. I think he's going to continue with that. I mean, contract season, that pretty much speaks for itself."
Harris certainly has something to prove after another disappointing offensive season for the Steelers. He accounted for 1,205 total yards for a team that accrued all of 5,431 total yards in 2023. Though Harris' option being declined was surprising, it doesn't mean that his time with the Steelers is done, as he can be extended before the upcoming offseason.
Charles LeClaire / USA TODAY Sports
Former Steelers running back, Le'Veon Bell carries the football looking for extra yards during a regular season game.
Steelers May Not Be In A Rush To Re-sign Harris
Harris also currently faces an uphill battle due to the nature of his position. Lucrative contracts for running backs has been a hot topic discussion over the past few seasons, really ever since the contract of Bell with the New York Jets. That saw him get paid, but he never lived up to his contract with the team. The Steelers have gotten around this in years past looking to the next man up. Whether it has been James Conner in relief of Bell, or even Harris to replace Connor, the Steelers have been one step ahead in having the next bell cow back waiting in the wings.
Jaylen Warren, the presumed next man up, is also a pending free agent headed into this season, so the future of the room is definitely in question. Regardless of what happens, Steelers fans can rest assured that they will get the best version of Harris, and maybe the version that cements himself as the franchise caliber back Kevin Colbert saw him as when he was drafted.
#SteelerNation
