Former Steelers LB Gives Surpring Take By Saying James Conner Was A Better RB Than Najee Harris In Pittsburgh

No Pittsburgh Steelers running back had ever rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his first three seasons. That was until Najee Harris broke that record after his third season in 2023. Harris is currently 13th on the all-time rushing list for the Steelers, yet he only needs around 1,100 yards in 2024 to jump all the way to the fifth spot. Even though Harris' future with the Steelers has some concerning question marks, the former 2021 first round draft pick has the opportunity to become one of the best running backs in franchise history. 

Assuming Harris plays most of the 2024 season, it's almost guaranteed that he'll reach the sixth spot at least on the list. He only needs 721 yards to do so, passing Frank Pollard. If Harris gets the 1,112 yards he needs to sneak into the top five, he'll be joining a legendary crew consisting of Franco Harris, Jerome Bettis, Willie Parker, and Le'Veon Bell.

Former Steelers linebackers Arthur Moats and Terence Garvin were debating about the order of how these five backs should be ranked during The Arthur Moats Experience With Deke Podcast. As the crew got deeper into the conversation, Garvin gave a hot take by saying former Steelers running back James Conner was a better back for Pittsburgh than Harris. 

"I'll respectfully say, I think Conner was a better Steeler running back than Najee's been a Steeler running back," Garvin stated.

Moats and the crew quickly reacted by yelling out a few "woah's" to Garvin, defending Harris. 

"I think Najee's a good running back, I'm not saying that. I just don't... maybe I've missed it. I just haven't seen 'that,' 'cause you're talking about stratosphere of another stratosphere."  

Harris has rushed for 3,269 yards and 22 touchdowns on the ground. Through the air, he's caught 866 yards and has six scores. Conner, 18th on the Steelers' all-time rushing list, during his first four seasons in the NFL with Pittsburgh, rushed for 2,302 yards and 22 touchdowns. For receiving, Conner had 963 yards and four TD's. So while Conner never once ran for over 1,000 yards in a single season, Harris has done it three times now. 

Moats and his crew also gave Harris his flowers by explaining that he's had less to work with than Conner did. The Steelers' offense has been at its worst in a long time, and Harris has been right in the middle of it, but still producing. From weak quarterback play and a less than ideal offensive coordinator in Matt Canada, Harris has had little supporting him. 

Conner on the other hand had two legends in Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown to take some of the pressure off. Not to mention, the offensive line that Harris has run behind is significantly worse than Conner's o-line in Pittsburgh. The Steelers moved off of Conner after the 2020-21 season and grabbed Harris shortly after in the 2021 NFL Draft. 

Steelers' Najee Harris In For His Best Season Yet In 2024

Strangely, Pittsburgh did not pick up Harris' fifth-year option worth $6.79 million to secure him for 2025. The Steelers want to see how his season plays out under Arthur Smith's offense, which should set up Harris nicely. With a new and improved offensive coordinator and upgraded offensive line, Harris has never been set up for success more than now. He is aware that Jaylen Warren is still fighting to become a starting running back, so every snap will be crucial this season as he's on the last year of his contract.

What do you think? Are you taking Harris or Conner with the Steelers? Let us know in the comments. 

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