The Pittsburgh Steelers have made a decision to not exercise the fifth-year option on running back Najee Harris, meaning that he will become a free agent after the 2024-25 season. Harris had a successful season last year, leading the Steelers with 1,035 yards and eight rushing touchdowns. He has reached the 1,000-yard mark in three consecutive seasons, playing in all 51 regular-season games.
With new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith implementing his system, the Steelers want to see how Harris and other running backs on the roster perform. According to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter Gerry Dulac, this is because they want to evaluate their options and make sure that they are making the best decisions for their team’s future success. Harris was the Steelers’ first-round pick in 2021, coming out of Alabama. In his three seasons with the team, he has rushed for 3,269 yards and 22 touchdowns.
During the previous season, the Steelers reduced Harris’ workload slightly and gave more carries to Jaylen Warren, who is also a threat in the passing game. By not picking up his fifth-year option, the Steelers avoid paying Harris a guaranteed $6.7 million for the 2025 season. However, there is still a possibility that they could sign him to a contract extension if they believe that he can continue to contribute positively to their team’s success. Harris will be 27 years old by then and is considered to still be in the prime of his career, despite having logged over 1,000 carries in his four seasons as a pro.
In conclusion, while it may seem like an unusual decision for some people who view it as letting go of talent that has been part of their team since day one; but when you look at it from a business standpoint it makes sense. With so many talented players already on their roster and uncertainty about what kind of impact Smith will bring into his new role as offensive coordinator; now might just be the perfect time for them to reevaluate their options and plan for their future success while avoiding locking themselves into long term contracts with players whose performance can change from year to year or even from game to game.
