Pittsburgh Steelers running back, Najee Harris, spent time speaking with the media outside his locker about how he and the offense would do in his second season. Talk soon turned to his new signal-callers, Mitch Trubisky and Kenny Pickett. Reporters asked Harris what his thoughts were working with the pair.
“Yeah, Mitch right when we [signed him as a free agent], I flew out here to meet him, then I went back to Texas to train. I wanted to meet him in person to see what type of guy he is. I actually was with him in Boca, FL seeing how he trains. He’s got a good regiment in how he takes care of his body.”
Pittsburgh Steelers running back, Najee Harris trains in Texas with former All-Pro Adrian Peterson. | Twitter: @ohthatsnajee22
Harris is a workout warrior who has added muscle to his 6'1" frame this off-season with only 6% body fat. He trains in Adrian Peterson’s gym in Houston, TX who aside from his status as future Hall of Famer, is known as a training machine. His praise of Trubisky’s fitness is extremely encouraging to Steelers fans that are expecting a more mobile quarterback in 2022 to add a wrinkle to the black and gold offense.
Harris then addressed his thoughts on Pickett:
“Kenny being that he went to Pitt already knows the facility. I think he has a good understanding of how everybody is in the locker room. He obviously brings a lot to the table too and he works hard.”
These observations echo some of the reports coming out of training camp that Trubisky is the more polished physical specimen at this point. He has displayed superior command and accuracy in OTA’s (Organized Training Activities) and seems to be in command early in the process as the starter. Pickett, as a rookie who has not seen a full contact NFL practice yet, seems to be spending his time developing rapport with his new teammates and working diligently to improve his status on the depth chart. Even if Pickett stays behind Trubisky ultimately on the depth chart, showing his teammates that he is doing everything to support Trubisky while bonding will give them confidence if and when he steps on the field to lead the Steelers.
You can watch the entire interview on Twitter or the link below:
.@ohthatsNajee22 talks about year two, building chemistry with the offensive line and more. ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/PowHdYaIPV
— Steelers Live (@SteelersLive) June 7, 2022
Harris then had some fun with the group asking him questions turning to a couple of subjects he recently tweeted about:
“I was 242 last year and now I am 244. But if you guys didn’t know, you are always heavier now than in the season. So, I am bound to play at 242, it wasn’t a big, you know I know everyone is like 'you're bigger than Jerome Bettis.' Jerome Bettis no I was not. Shout out Jerome though, 'cause that’s the homie. Y’all, making it seem like I’m just fat as hell. It’s whatever though, y’all get under my skin and that’s why I like y’all.”
This was very tongue in cheek, and he was flashing that winning smile the whole time. He was quick to ensure that Bettis would not take it as a sign of disrespect by adamantly insisting that they were two different people. He also did not miss the chance to needle the reporters and let them know that his previous tweets were good natured retorts, not flame throwing bombs which in Twitter World can easily be confused. The criticism obviously bothers him about the weight issue, but he did a great job turning it into a lighthearted moment, where others may have let the discourse drive a wedge between them and the media.
I do not know how Harris’s football career will ultimately turn out, but I do know his demeanor already belongs in the Hall of Fame. I hope his cleats and helmet can join him there.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Do his comments about the quarterback situation and his weight give you a warm and fuzzy feeling, or are you discouraged that Pickett seems to trail Trubisky. Please comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
