Category: Najee Harris

Steelers shockingly decline Najee Harris’ fifth-year option

What appeared to be a sure thing wasn’t with Najee Harris’ option.

In a stunning move, the Pittsburgh Steelers have declined the fifth-year option of running back Najee Harris, according to multiple reports. If it had been exercised, Harris would’ve been owed just $6.79 million for 2025, which seemed like a bargain given how he started his career. Instead, this season could be the last of Harris in the black and gold.

Harris topped 1,000 rushing yards in each of his first three NFL seasons. He did it while dealing with multiple issues, questionable offensive line and quarterback play, and having Matt Canada as an offensive coordinator.

With the new offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith, Harris’ role in the offense could be expanded even further, along with that of teammate Jaylen Warren. Smith proved when he was the OC at the Tennessee Titans that he could build an elite rushing attack with the right back, and Harris seems to fit the bill.

Or does he?

According to Brooke Pryor, Steelers beat writer for ESPN, the fit is to be determined.

“With the new offense being installed, the feeling is the organization wants to see how Harris and the RBs function in Arthur Smith’s offense before making a longer-term commitment to him,” Pryor tweeted.

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Steelers GM Omar Khan non-committal on Najee Harris’ fifth-year option

One big decision weighing on the Steelers brass this offseason is whether to exercise Najee Harris’ 2025 fifth-year option. 

One big decision weighing on the Pittsburgh Steelers brass this offseason is whether to exercise Najee Harris‘ 2025 fifth-year option.

Speaking with a scrum of Steelers media from the NFL Scouting Combine, general manager Omar Khan was non-committal on the topic, according to TribLive’s Joe Rutter.

The salary cap dictates the cost of which positions would earn what on their exercised option, and for running backs, it’s $6.79 million. The deadline is May 2.

Harris, who still has one year remaining on his rookie deal, topped 1,000 rushing yards in his first three NFL seasons — all while dealing with injuries, a subpar offensive line and questionable play-calls from ex-offensive coordinator Matt Canada.

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What would it cost Steelers to exercise fifth-year option on RB Najee Harris?

Giving Najee Harris his fifth-year option is an easy choice for the Steelers.

The NFL’s salary cap for 2024 is set, and we now know exactly what it’ll cost the Pittsburgh Steelers to exercise Najee Harris’ fifth-year option. The league gave all NFL teams a huge bump in salary cap for the upcoming season as a correction for the whole COVID-19 debacle and the financial situation it put franchises in.

The Steelers need to make a decision on Najee Harris has he enters Year Four and as we’ve said before, this is an easy one. The cost for Harris in 2025 would be $6.79 million, which feels like a bargain given how Harris has started his career.

Harris topped 1,000 rushing yards in each of his first three NFL seasons and done it while dealing with multiple issues including questionable offensive line and quarterback play along with having Matt Canada as an offensive coordinator.

With the addition of new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, Harris’ role in the offense could be expanded even further along with teammate Jaylen Warren. Smith proved when he was the OC at the Tennessee Titans he could build an elite rushing attack with the right back and Harris fits the bill.

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Giving Steelers RB Najee Harris his fifth-year option is an easy decision

The Steelers must give Najee Harris his fifth-year option.

One of the big financial decisions the Pittsburgh Steelers need to make this offseason is whether or not to exercise the fifth-year option for running back Najee Harris. This would add an extra year to his current contract and pay him something in the neighborhood of $6.6 million in 2025.

The last time the Steelers had to make such a decision, they opted not to exercise the fifth-year option on linebacker Devin Bush. This, after Bush proved to be a wasted pick for the Steelers and a bust. But for Harris, the decision is an easy one as Harris has continued to improve in each of his three NFL seasons.

Harris has rushed for at least 1,000 yards in each season and has evolved in his running style to help keep himself healthy and improve his efficiency running the ball.

The argument against Harris getting the fifth-year option is the existence of Jaylen Warren. We don’t see it that way at all and thanks to the hire of new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, the need to two great backs becomes even more important.

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Steelers RB Najee Harris says the quiet part out loud: ‘We’ve got to be more disciplined’

Najee Harris wants this team to get better and he knows what the problems are.

Throughout the season, the one Pittsburgh Steelers player who was consistent in his message and his effort was running back Najee Harris. Every week he went out and played hard and tried to do his best to maintain a level of discipline and professionalism that he was accustomed to at the University of Alabama.

After Monday’s loss, Harris offered up some hard truth about the changes he feels need to happen with the team and it was all about being more committed and more disciplined.

“In-house rules. Not no changes or coaches or anything like that. Just the rules that are in the building,” Harris said. “We’ve got to be more disciplined. We’ve got to be more committed. I’m not saying that we’re not, but coming from a place that has structure and coming and just seeing, we could probably get help in these areas; make a change. I think that’s something that could help. I’m not saying anything about coaches or anything like that; I’m saying in-house rules.”

“When I first got here, it was just how things were. I don’t know how it was when I wasn’t here,” Harris said. “I have my opinion on things, but obviously, it doesn’t matter; I’m just a player. The guys in that building know what I’m talking about. They’ve heard it, it just might be the first time y’all are hearing it.”

Keeping in mind that Harris comes from the University of Alabama football program where former head coach Nick Saban ran a tight ship and also one of the best programs in the country. It’s no coincidence that Harris along with safety Minkah Fitzpatrick have been the most vocal about these issues as both played for Saban at Alabama.

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Najee Harris reflects on first 10-win season with Pittsburgh Steelers

It’s the first 10-win season for Najee Harris.

Najee Harris knew the physicality required for this game. Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens matchups are always extra rough-and-tumble. He also knew combating the weather would be a huge factor in their approach to leaving M&T Bank Stadium with a win.

It did, and they did on their way to the first 10-win season of Harris’s career. But it’s not without a hint of regret.

“I wish we could take back some games that we lost and had a better record,” Harris said in a postgame press conference.

Harris credits Mike Tomlin for helping lead them there. “To hit 10 wins is good for the team — not only that but for Mike T. How he’s been carrying us along this whole year, I think it really shows. With all the negative stuff that’s been said, he always stays the same person.”

As all teams do, Pittsburgh faced its share of adversity this season but live — for the moment — to tell about it.

“The main thing for us to do was to get the win so we can get into the playoffs.”

The Steelers did an about-face after a three-game skid, winning three straight games to close out the regular season. They did their part. Now, all that’s left to do is wait and see what comes of Buffalo Bills-Miami Dolphins and Tennessee Titans-Jacksonville Jaguars tomorrow. Pittsburgh needs a Dolphins victory or the Titans to win or tie.

Harris won’t be watching, though. He has more pressing matters to tend to. “I’m gonna watch film on this game,” he said when asked for his plans for the Sunday lineup. “If we’re in, we’re in. Watch film on whoever we’re playing next.”

Should the Steelers advance to the Wild Card round, Harris believes the team doesn’t lack the confidence to keep pushing.

“We always have confidence. It’s just execution. We always know who we could be. Sometimes it works that way, sometimes, it doesn’t. We’ve just gotta find a way to keep this going.”

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Steelers RB Najee Harris shows selfless act in win over Seahawks

Najee Harris could’ve easily continued to pad his stat line.

Najee Harris balled out in the Pittsburgh Steelers win over the Seattle Seahawks, putting up 122 rushing yards on 27 carries and two touchdowns.

He could’ve easily had a third, but instead of padding his stat line and finishing the game with a hat trick, he showed alertness and acted selflessly — much to the dismay of fantasy football Harris owners.

With 57 seconds to go in the game, the Steelers needed a first down to turn the page on Seattle. Harris got it on a 12-yard scamper, sliding down at the Seahawks’ 5-yard line. All that was left was a Mason Rudolph kneel-down for the win.

It was Harris’ best outing in nearly a year, last putting up 111 yards on the Ravens in Week 16 of the 2022 season.

The Steelers will, once again, need to lean on their ground game to weaken the Ravens defense. They averaged a measly 2.9 yards per attempt in Week 5, but have an opportunity for much more given how Harris and Jaylen Warren have developed into the best duo in the league.

Since the Ravens’ last loss to the Browns in Week 10, the run defense has allowed 125.4 yards and 5.2 yards per carry per game to opponents.

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Steelers vs Patriots: RB Najee Harris expected to play

Najee Harris is expected to suit up vs. Patriots tonight.

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris was listed as questionable on the team’s final injury report. However, according to multiple NFL sources, the knee injury that made him pop up on the injury report this week won’t keep him out of this week’s game against the New England Patriots.

Harris currently leads the Steelers with 661 rushing yards on 159 carries. He also leads the team with four rushing touchdowns. Harris is part of the Steelers’ new two-headed monster in the run game with Jaylen Warren. Warren is second on the team with 601 rushing yards and three touchdowns of his own.

The Patriots, who boast the eighth-best defense in the NFL, have surrendered just nine touchdowns and 81.8 yards per game to running backs.

The two-headed monster will need a solid outing tonight to take some pressure off Mitch Trubisky and the struggling pass game.

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Trouble is brewing with Steelers RB Najee Harris

Did something with the approach to the ground game in preparation for the Cincinnati Bengals to piss Najee Harris off?

Najee Harris was quite vocal, along with several teammates, that he wanted things to change with the Pittsburgh Steelers offense — and it did. So, what gives?

While Jaylen Warren spoke glowingly about running backs coach Eddie Faulkner’s promotion, Harris did not. In fact, per ESPN’s Brooke Pryor, he flat-out refused to speak with Steelers media on Friday, indicating there’s some trouble brewing with the former first-round pick.

Did something with the approach to the ground game in preparation for the Cincinnati Bengals piss Harris off? A potential reason for his refusal is that Warren has overtaken him as the starter of the Steelers struggling offense. Chuks Okorafor was benched and has not played since his sideline outburst during the loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 8.

Harris’s comments were made after a game in which he logged a baker’s dozen touches for 36 yards. Warren had fewer attempts (nine) but did far more with them. The bulk of his 129 yards came on a 74-yard touchdown. He added three receptions on three targets for 16 yards.

“Starter” is just a label when it comes to these two. They’ve seen plenty of action since Broderick Jones was inserted into the line and run blocking improved.

But if Harris has been demoted or the plan is for Warren to get the lion’s share of the snaps, that’s enough for Harris to want the hell out of Pittsburgh.

Or maybe he’s just having a bad hair day.