The Pittsburgh Steelers spent their first-round pick in 2021 on Najee Harris from the Alabama Crimson Tide. Harris set a couple of rookie records for the Steelers in 2021 with 1,200 yards rushing and 74 receptions. The second-year player has been extremely vocal asking for a bigger workload for the upcoming season. Ike Taylor addressed the workload issue on his popular Beleav podcast with co-host, Mark Bergin:
“Nope. Hopefully, they will find a Robin to Najee. I don’t want him anywhere close to that [500 touches]. You are talking about 4-500 carries that is two NFL seasons.”
Taylor was a fixture on the Steelers defense for 12 seasons and played in the Steelers last three Super Bowl appearances. He played with Jerome Bettis, Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall during those runs and in Parker and Mendenhall’s case, saw what effect the increased workload on the Steelers lead backs had during his career. Taylor continues:
"I don’t want him to put those kinds of miles on those tires, never mind that engine. I want him to play as long as he can. Two-400 carry seasons and that’s four seasons in two years. He has to start thinking about the sake of his body and career. He has to start thinking like a businessman."
Pittsburgh Steelers running back, Najee Harris (#22) looks on at training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA on July 28, 2022. | Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO
The former NCAA Champion at Alabama understands what it takes to win. He is well aware that Mitch Trubisky, a reclamation project free agent signing and the 2022 first round draft pick Kenny Pickett need production from the running game. The Steelers have Benny Snell and Anthony McFarland on the roster as holdovers, but based on previous performances, neither is likely to fill the role directly behind Harris. The UDFA signings of Mataeo Durant and Jaylen Warren may become crucially important to Matt Canada's offense sooner rather than later.
"For the sake of the team," Taylor concluded, "will give you no money and there is no feelings when it comes to the business side of the NFL. It’s thank you and have a nice life. They always feel like they will replace you. I like the mindset, but from a player’s perspective to another player, take care of your body, get the yards you can get with less carries and play as long as you can."
Najee Harris can handle a heavy workload, but someone has to step up as the Steelers' backup RB. https://t.co/jCi8EDzui5@Ike_SwagginU | @BleavNetwork | #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/LFYlel4vWy
— Mark Bergin (@mdbergin) July 29, 2022
The Steelers endured an ugly holdout in 2018 from Le’Veon Bell who was convinced he was worth more than the team was willing to pay. He ended up signing a year later for slightly less than Pittsburgh had offered him and just three years later, he is embarking on a boxing career and is out of the NFL. The top Pittsburgh runners since Bettis have had wonderfully productive short runs as a lead back and now that the future Hall of Famer Ben Roethlisberger is retired, they figure to rely heavily on the run going forward.
Running backs used to be the stars of the NFL, but the league has evolved, and teams now pass to set up the run across the NFL. The Tennessee Titans and Derrick Henry and the Indianapolis Colts who feature Jonathan Taylor are the only two AFC teams that currently rely heavily on the success of their running game and Pittsburgh is likely to join the group. The NFC contending San Francisco 49ers and Kyle Shanahan also feature a run first mindset, but they rely on more depth to achieve their goals.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, Kenny Pickett (#8), and running back, Najee Harris (#22), practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2022 minicamp, Wednesday, June 8, 2022. | Abigail Dean / Pittsburgh Steelers
Harris has been tabbed by Mike Tomlin as the leader on offense and his mindset of carrying the team certainly reflects; he is willing to take on the load. However, Taylor is correct. It is best for the player and the team if they find a back like DeAngelo Williams or Mewelde Moore who can provide the black and gold valuable touches while he rests in the fall.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Do you agree with Ike, or do you want to see Najee Harris get his wish with five hundred touches? Please comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
