The Pittsburgh Steelers shocked a lot of fans ahead of the 2024 season when the organization decided to decline the fifth-year option on Najee Harris' rookie contract. This ultimately made his contract expire after the 2024 season, and the running back is slated to become a free agent once the new league year begins in mid-March. Harris has had a decent career in Pittsburgh, but he has not lived up to his first-round label through the first four seasons of his career. There are plenty of reasons to bring the former Alabama standout back for 2025, but only at the right price.
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Steelers' Najee Harris running with the football against the Bengals.
Harris has been one of the most consistent running backs in the NFL since being drafted in 2021. He has not missed a game, and he has eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards in each of his first four seasons. He made the Pro Bowl as an alternate back in 2021, and he isn't considered a total bust. However, Harris has been heavily criticized in the media for his lack of explosiveness.
Team insider Gerry Dulac was asked about the future of Harris on Thursday morning, and he shared his thoughts on the running back returning.
"I will tell you there is no hometown discount," Dulac wrote. "But I think the chances are better he returns than not."
The running back won't give the organization a discount for his services, but that isn't expected. He has been run into the ground over the last four years behind a below-average offensive line in an offense with a non-existent passing game. It hasn't been necessarily easy to be a running back in Pittsburgh, and Harris is probably hoping he has the opportunity to go elsewhere. However, Dulac believes there is a high probability that Harris will actually be back in the black and gold in 2025.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Najee Harris makes contact with a Chiefs defender during a loss in 2024.
It is unclear what kind of market Harris might receive if he makes it to free agency. Teams like the Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, and Los Angeles Chargers could all be in the market for a running back and Harris may want to get closer to the West Coast where he grew up. If the Steelers were to bring Harris back, it probably won't happen until free agency is underway. The running back will probably want to test the market to see how much he may be worth, and then the Steelers might have the opportunity to match the offer.
Harris has been a great player for the Steelers over the last four seasons, and things haven't always been fair to him. The offensive line has been bad at times, the passing game has been atrocious, and the offensive coordinator even got fired in the middle of the 2023 season. It hasn't been an easy time for Harris in Pittsburgh, but he has still found a way to see a decent amount of success. It would be nice to see him return, but it might be time for Jaylen Warren to take over the duties as the lead back.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Najee Harris during pregame at a Wild Card matchup against the Ravens in 2025.
Steelers May Be Better Off Parting Ways With Najee Harris
According to Spotrac, Harris' value is about $9.2 million per season. He is projected to sign a three-year, $27 million deal in free agency. If the Steelers were to bring him back on that deal, the fan base would be irate, and anything close to that is probably also an overpay. The 2025 NFL Draft is chock-full of talent at running back, and the Steelers would be better off selecting a back in the later rounds of the draft.
Assuming Warren is back in Pittsburgh in 2025, him paired with a physical rookie should be effective enough in the backfield for the Steelers. The area that needs more focus is the passing game, which should help open up some running lanes. The Steelers' offense has struggled for years, and moving on from Harris is probably the right decision.
What do you think about the likelihood of Harris being back in 2025 being high? Let us know in the comments below!
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