Steelers Officially Parting Ways With Former First-Round Pick Najee Harris As Back Is Set To Sign With Chargers

The Pittsburgh Steelers had a lot of significant players' contracts expire after the 2024 season. Justin Fields, Dan Moore Jr., and Donte Jackson have all already found new homes, as has running back Najee Harris. Harris was Pittsburgh's first-round selection back in the 2021 NFL Draft, and the running back had a fairly productive four seasons in Pittsburgh. Despite his total productivity, the back never quite lived up to his first-round label, and this led to the Steelers declining his fifth-year option ahead of the 2024 season.

After the organization declined Harris' fifth-year option, it became clear that it would be the back's final year in Pittsburgh. The Steelers found a productive back in Jaylen Warren, and it just didn't make sense to pay an extensive amount of money to Harris moving forward. A natural landing spot for Harris always seemed to be the Los Angeles Chargers, and that is exactly where Harris ended up agreeing to sign once free agency officially opens on Wednesday.

Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh recruited Harris heavily when the running back was coming out of high school and Harbaugh was the head coach at Michigan. Harris wound up committing to Alabama, but the two formed a nice relationship over the recruiting process. Harris is also from California, so it is understandable that he would want to return to the West Coast.

Harris seemed like he was going to end up in the AFC West regardless. The Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders also had a need at the running back position, and both of those franchises seemed like they may have been good spots for Harris to land. The Dallas Cowboys also felt like a potential landing spot for the running back, but he will be playing in Los Angeles moving forward as the two sides have been connected for some time.

Harris had a decent career in Pittsburgh while dealing with some dysfunction on the offense. The offensive line play was never above the league average, and more often than not, it was one of the worst in the league. The passing game was constantly inconsistent, which made it harder to run the football. Regardless of this, Harris managed to eclipse 1,000 rushing yards in each of his four seasons with the Steelers.

One of the best attributes Harris possesses is durability. He did not miss a start over his four-year stretch as the Steelers' lead back, which is something that is rarely seen in the NFL. Now the Steelers will look to find his replacement in a deep draft class at the running back position.

Steelers Keep Building A Strong Case For Compensatory Picks In 2026

Every year, teams around the league are awarded compensatory draft picks based off of who the team loses in free agency, and who is brought in. Up until the Harris signing, Pittsburgh had lost Fields, Moore, and Jackson. Those three players signed for a total of $135 million, and both Moore and Jackson were on the field for at least 60 percent of the snaps during the 2024 season. Add Harris into that equation, and the Steelers should receive substantial compensation for the 2026 NFL Draft.

The compensatory draft picks can be used to continue to build the roster, but it will also give Pittsburgh some freedom to move up in the draft. This will be especially important if there are still major questions at the quarterback position a year from now.

What do you think of Harris landing in Los Angeles? Let us know in the comments below!

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