Steelers' Najee Harris Compared To Seahawks' Marshawn Lynch After Big Production Jump: "He Can Have A Similar Uptick In Production"

The Pittsburgh Steelers made significant changes to their offense this offseason. After firing Matt Canada, they replaced him with new Offensive Coordinator, Arthur Smith. They cleaned out the quarterback room and brought in Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Pittsburgh also continued its mission to boost its offensive line via the 2024 NFL Draft, adding Troy Fautanu, Zach Frazier, and Mason McCormick.

One decision they made, choosing not to extend running back Najee Harris, has divided the fan base. Fans were divided over Harris' original selection in the first round in 2021. Pundits who feel that running backs don't have the value that other positions do have been beating the drum for the team to move on from the former Alabama standout since he arrived. This doesn't mean the team can't or won't make Harris an offer at the end of the 2024 season. They just aren't doing it now. 

On his Locked on Steelers podcast, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter Christopher Carter said he felt that the decision not to extend Harris was a mistake. Additionally, he think that Harris and Wilson might help each other out this season, especially with both feeling they have something to prove. After all, Harris reminds Carter of another running back that helped Wilson's career reach new heights.

"He compares well to another running back who didn't start off so hot and then developed alongside the quarterback who the Steelers just signed, Russell Wilson. The running back I am talking about is Marshawn Lynch."

Carter reminded listeners that when Marshawn Lynch was originally drafted by the Buffalo Bills, he looked like a bust to many fans. Comparing Lynch to Harris during those first three seasons, Carter said that Harris ran for about 600 more yards. Yes, it was with more carries, but their average yards per carry was about the same. 

During his first three years with the Steelers, Harris had over 1,000 yards rushing each season, and he was the only back in the NFL to do that. Carter said he is not trying to draw an apples-to-apples comparison between the two players. However, it is noteworthy that Harris has called Lynch his mentor.

"When he got to Seattle they had a better offensive line, they had a better quarterback and that quarterback was Russell Wilson. I'm not saying he can be 'Beast Mode' and do all the things Marshawn Lynch did in his career, but I am saying I think he can have a similar uptick in production. I think there is potential for what Arthur Smith is putting together on offense to be very productive. A boost in production of both Najee Harris and Russell Wilson. The playstyles could mesh very well. I think the two of them could be truly special together."

Carter points out that during the height of their success from 2012 to 2015, Wilson had a passer rating of over 100 in three of those four seasons, and the other year, it was 95. In 2015, it was the highest in the NFL at 110.1.

Harris managed over 1,000 rushing yards in seasons with a less than ideal offensive coordinator, mediocre offensive lines, and largely ineffective quarterbacks. Carter believes that if he can perform that well in those situations, then surely he should improve with the increased stability the Steelers will have on offense in 2024. 

Does Steelers' Najee Harris See The Writing On The Wall?

While anything can happen regarding Harris' contract situation, Carter said that Steelers history does point to him not returning after the 2024 season. There is always the possibility that Harris won't want to return, but he is surely thinking about all of his other options. 

Carter said it can't feel reassuring if Harris looks at what the team usually does. He named numerous players to whom the Steelers chose not to offer a fifth extension, including Ziggy Hood, Jarvis Jones, Artie Burns, and Devin Bush. He said someone like Bud Dupree is an anomaly. They signed his fifth-year option, but were not 100% sure what they would have in T.J. Watt. 

Do you think Wilson and Harris will be something special in 2024? Click to comment below. 

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