Steelers' Najee Harris Takes Odd Path Upon Arriving At Camp Trying To Avoid Media

The Pittsburgh Steelers' offseason has been filled with excitement. One notable storyline with a bit of drama involves running back Najee Harris. Drafted in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Harris has consistently delivered, never rushing for less than 1,000 yards in a season and never missing a start.

Despite being a workhorse back, Harris has struggled to fully win over some fans who question whether he was worth a first-round pick. However, his performance in the 2023 season seemed to garner more support from the fan base. While Harris is a talented running back, the market for his position is tough.

This offseason, the Steelers faced a decision regarding Harris's future. They chose to decline his fifth-year option, which surprised many fans. Picking up the option would have guaranteed Harris approximately $6.79 million for the 2025 season, but now he will become a free agent after the 2024 season.

Harris has not spoken to the Pittsburgh media since the option was declined. Harris did speak briefly about the upcoming season during a boxing match. Reports indicated he would address the Pittsburgh media at training camp, and fans are eager to hear from him. When Harris arrived at his dorm at camp, he took an unusual route, seemingly avoiding the media by deliberately skipping the steps.

It’s possible that Steelers fans are overreacting to Harris' decision to avoid the media by not taking the usual route down the steps. However, the initial fan reaction suggests they believe Harris might be frustrated with the organization or the media. 

Harris has always been somewhat unpredictable when it comes to media interactions. Harris was supposed to talk during camp but so far has only stated he is not able to because he has a meeting.

Steelers insider Mark Kaboly, who knows Harris well, has observed that sometimes Harris is friendly and eager to talk, while other times he seems disinterested and annoyed.

The decision to decline Harris's fifth-year option doesn't necessarily mean the Steelers want to move on from him. Reports indicate the team made this decision because they want to evaluate him for a full season under Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith before committing financially. 

Despite playing behind a struggling offensive line and within a historically poor offensive system, Harris has still managed to produce. He is expected to have his best season yet with Smith and the new offense.

Steelers' Najee Harris Still Part Of Pittsburgh's Future

Steelers General Manager Omar Khan was open about the organization's decision, stating that the team likes Harris and wants him to be part of their future, but this was the choice they made for now. Harris is set up for a potential career year in a favorable system. If he performs well, his value could increase, and it will be interesting to see how the Steelers handle that situation.

While it may seem that Harris is upset, he might simply be avoiding the media because he expects questions about his declined option. This situation could be frustrating for him. Harris has been an excellent running back and is eager to dominate in 2024. 

Fans are excited to hear from him when he finally speaks during camp, hoping for more clarity on his feelings about the upcoming season and the team's decision. For now, fans speculate that his avoidance of the media might indicate some dissatisfaction.

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