In the 2021 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers went against the grain and passed on much needed offensive line help in the first round. The Steelers took running back Najee Harris instead and many analysts deemed this a mistake when it happened. The team however, has a superstar in the making in the backfield and someone they're ready to lean on in the 2022 season with other lingering questions left unanswered, currently.
The past two seasons, the Steelers team MVP award was earned by all-around defensive playmaker, TJ Watt. Rightfully so, as he, along with Cam Heyward and Minkah Fitzpatrick have led an impressive Steelers defensive effort the past two seasons. Watt tied Michael Strahan's long-time impressive sack record for sacks in a season with 22.5 last season. He's led the league in sacks the past two years!
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker, T.J. Watt (#90) celebrates alongside defensive tackle, Cameron Heyward (#97) and linebacker, Alex Highsmith (#56). | NFL.com
Can Najee Harris Overtake Watt for Team MVP in 2022?
In a recent article published by The Athletic, writer Mark Kaboly answered the question in the header above!
"T.J. Watt was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 with 22 1/2 sacks, so it’s easy to go that route again," Kaboly stated in the article. "Thinking differently, Najee Harris might be even more important to the success or failure of the 2022 Steelers. With a new quarterback under center for the first time since 2004, the Steelers not only want to establish the run, but need to establish the run with Harris."
AP Photo / Keith Srakocic
"The running back has gotten bigger and especially stronger after a rookie season that saw him play better down the stretch without much help from his offensive line," Kaboly stated on the improvement of Harris this offseason. "The Steelers upgraded their guys up front and wouldn’t be against another 381-touch season like he had a year ago. They have openly talked about limiting some of his snaps, but no mention of scaling back his touches."
Harris has a real shot of becoming the team's MVP in the upcoming 2022 season. With the Steelers conducting a QB competition during training camp, the offense will be designed to get Harris a load of touches. Why? Because that's this team's best chance at being successful this year!
You don't have to take it from me or even from Kaboly, but Harris is the real deal. At least, take it from a Pro Football Hall of Famer and Steelers legend, Jerome Bettis.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back, Najee Harris (#22), during a regular season game between against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA at Heinz Field. The Steelers beat the Broncos 27-19. | Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers
“What I love is that his hunger to learn, to want to be better," Bettis said via NFL Network. "A lot of times, you get a young guy, first round draft pick, you come in and you say, ‘Okay, I’m here now, and I’m the best thing since sliced bread.’ And that’s not the case with Najee. He reached out to me. He wanted to learn more. ‘Hey, talk to me about this. Explain to me this.’And that tells me that he wants to be a better football player, every year he steps on the football field. So that tells me that I think the running game is in great hands now. We’ve got to figure out who’s going to be throwing the football and can’t we get it down to these really good wire receivers that we have?”
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