The Pittsburgh Steelers have a ton of impactful decisions to make during the 2025 offseason, and one of those decisions is what to do at the running back position. Najee Harris is an unrestricted free agent, Jaylen Warren is a restricted free agent, and the running back class is loaded in the 2025 NFL Draft. After Pittsburgh declined Harris' fifth-year option ahead of the 2024 season, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that Pittsburgh would not entertain bringing him back once his contract expired, but it seems like there may be some interest from the organization.
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Steelers' Najee Harris high fives fans after a big home win.
Harris was Pittsburgh's first-round pick back in the 2021 NFL Draft, and he has not lived up to his first-round label so far in his career. He has been extremely durable while rushing for 1,000 yards in each of his first four seasons, but it still seems like the Steelers are missing something at the running back position with him back there. It wouldn't make much sense for the organization to re-sign the running back, but insider Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that the two sides met at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.
"General Manager Omar Khan has met with Doug Hendrickson of Wasserman Sports, Harris’ representative, about the possibility of re-signing their former No. 1 draft choice, who is an unrestricted free agent," Dulac wrote. "The Steelers are still in the process of deciding if they want to bring back Harris, who has had four consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons and never missed a game since being the 24th overall pick in the 2021 draft."
It would be very unwise for Harris not to go out and test the market once free agency opens up in March. However, the strong running back draft class could make organizations around the league a bit unwilling to spend big on a veteran running back. This should help the Steelers in keeping Warren in town as well, as General Manager Omar Khan said on Tuesday that the franchise would likely be placing a Right of First Refusal tender on the back.
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Steelers running backs Najee Harris (left) and Jaylen Warren (right) stand next to one another on the sideline during a regular season contest on the road.
The tender the Steelers will place on Warren will allow the organization to match any higher offer he receives in free agency. While with Harris, there will be more of a bidding war on the running back as he is an unrestricted free agent. He will be one of the best backs available on the market, but it would still be wise for the Steelers to let him walk.
There is value at the running back position in the draft on every day of the event. The Steelers currently have eight picks, meaning there is no reason for the organization to spend money on a running back in free agency. Financial resources need to go to one of the other holes on the roster, while the running back position can easily be fixed through the 2025 NFL Draft.
Steelers Could Make A Mistake Overpaying Najee Harris
Harris' upcoming projected salary has been anywhere from $7 to $10 million, but Spotrac currently has it sitting at $9.2 million. It would be a terrible look if the Steelers decide to offer Harris anything within this realm, as the fifth-year option the franchise declined on the running back was only worth $6.79 million. Had the Steelers accepted the option, Harris would be under contract through 2025, and he probably would have left Pittsburgh in free agency in 2026.
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Steelers' Najee Harris during pregame in a Wild Card matchup against the Ravens in 2025.
Harris has been a good running back, but he just doesn't have the necessary burst that is needed at the position. The running back has been impressive as he has run for 1,000 yards in every season, and he should be able to get a quality starting job elsewhere.
What do you think the future holds for Harris? Let us know in the comments below!
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