The Pittsburgh Steelers made a surprising decision to decline Najee Harris’ fifth-year option, making him an unrestricted free agent after the season. Despite coming off his third straight 1,000-yard rushing season with the team and earning a Pro Bowl selection, the Steelers are looking to see how Harris and other running backs perform in a new offensive scheme under Arthur Smith. Harris has been a workhorse for the team since being drafted in 2021, but the lack of explosiveness in the offense led to a decline in his production. With Jaylen Warren taking playing time away, especially in passing situations, Harris will have to prove his worth in a contract year.
In his rookie season, Harris rushed for 1,200 yards on 307 carries with seven touchdowns and added 467 receiving yards with three scores. In 2022, he ran for 1,034 yards on 272 attempts with 10 total touchdowns. However, the lack of big runs and explosive plays on offense made Harris’ production seem lackluster at times. Despite showing improvement with a career-high 4.1 yards per carry last season, Harris will need to showcase consistency and increased playmaking ability to secure a new contract with the Steelers or potentially sign with another team in free agency.
The decision to decline Harris’ fifth-year option means he would have made $6.7 million in the 2025 season if it had been picked up. Now, Harris will be entering a contract year where he must prove his value and performance on the field. While the Steelers are aware that solid production from Harris could lead to him signing elsewhere, the focus remains on his ability to excel under new leadership before any free agency talks can take place. Harris will need to showcase his skills and make an impact to show both the Steelers and the rest of the league that he is deserving of a new contract.
Given the decline in explosiveness and big plays in the offense under Matt Canada, Harris will need to step up and make significant contributions to the team in order to secure his future with the Steelers. With new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith implementing a new scheme, Harris will have the opportunity to showcase his versatility and playmaking abilities. As a former first-round draft pick and Pro Bowl selection, Harris has shown flashes of talent and potential, but he will need to demonstrate consistency and impact in the upcoming season to solidify his status with the team and potentially earn a new contract. The uncertainty of his future with the team adds pressure on Harris to perform at a high level and prove his worth.
