Pittsburgh Steelers running back, Najee Harris had a really bad showing against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. Harris carried the football six times for just 14 yards. He averaged 2.3 yards per carry, and although the stat sheet didn’t credit Harris with the fumble, it was his fault. Even Harris would be the first to admit that he should have been held accountable. Officially, Russell Wilson was credited with the fumble, but it was Harris who mishandled the ball, leading to a crucial turnover that effectively sealed the Steelers’ fate in their 27-13 loss to the Eagles.
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Steelers' Najee Harris fumbles the football against the Eagles.
Harris’ lackluster performance has sparked renewed debate about his role in the Steelers’ offense. While the team’s running game was expected to be a cornerstone of their strategy this season, Harris has struggled to establish consistency. Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo has openly questioned Harris' place as the starting running back, suggesting it may be time to hand the reins over to Jaylen Warren, who has shown flashes of reliability and explosiveness.
Warren has consistently demonstrated his ability to contribute when given opportunities, making a strong case for an expanded role. Benching Harris in favor of Warren could inject much-needed energy into the offense while sending a clear message about accountability. Whether or not the team decides to make the switch, it’s evident that Harris must address his struggles quickly to regain trust and secure his future on the roster.
"At this point in the season, I know they're [Steelers] probably not gonna start Jaylen Warren," Fittipaldo said. "But I think Jaylen Warren needs to start seeing the bulk of the carries and the bulk of the snaps here. It just seems like Najee's lost a step or two, maybe just because of wear and tear. I think it's time for Jaylen to step up and take over as RB1."
While Harris wouldn’t be fully benched, Fittipaldo believes, based on his experience reporting on the Steelers, that he’s seen enough from Harris to warrant a change.
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Steelers' Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren catch their breath at Lumen Field.
He argues that the Steelers’ offense would be more effective if Warren took the majority of the reps. The 2024 season has been a curious one for the Steelers' running back duo.
Steelers' Najee Harris And Jaylen Warren Not Fully Meeting Expectations In 2024
Warren and Harris have been a solid one-two punch, but they haven't fully lived up to the high expectations set for them. Many anticipated that with Arthur Smith's new offensive system, both backs would have career years. While their performances have been above average, they haven't been anything to write home about. Warren has carried the football 91 times for 371 yards, averaging 4.1 yards per carry, and has scored one rushing touchdown so far in 2024.
Harris has carried the ball 229 times for 891 rushing yards, averaging 3.9 yards per carry. He’s also scored five rushing touchdowns. As runners, both players have had slightly above-average seasons, but it’s not quite what many in Steeler Nation had hoped for. Against the Eagles, Warren had just four carries, while Harris had six.
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Steelers' Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren working on a drill together at practice.
That’s not the kind of balanced attack the Steelers typically aim for. Fans will be hoping Harris can bounce back from his disappointing performance, and many would also like to see Warren get more reps. Ideally, the two backs will form the dynamic duo that was expected, showing more consistency as the season goes on.
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