PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Another Steelers first round pick not getting a second contract. Running back Najee Harris signs a one-year, $9.25 million deal with the Los Angeles Chargers per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Steelers pretty much showed their hand not picking up Najee Harris’ fifth-year option last offseason. It’s not a lack of production with Harris, no tailback in Steelers history rushed for 1,000 yards in each of his first four seasons. The numbers are insanely similar in the last three years:
• 1,034 yards in 2022
• 1,035 yards in 2023
• 1,043 yards in 2024
He’s only fumbled five times and none last season. Receiving-180 receptions for 1,149 yards and six touchdowns, no TDs in the last two years.
It’s not that you can’t rely on Harris. He has played every game, sometimes fighting through injury and historically gets stronger as the game and season goes on which is a credit to his fitness and desire.
It’s just he doesn’t provide a lot of explosive plays. He’s had nine, 100-yard games in four years. That is fewer than Barkley had in 2024 (11). Last season Harris did have 10 runs of 20-plus yards which was fifth best in the league, but his longest run was 36 yards, which was 38th best in the NFL. In 2023, his longest run was 25 yards, 52nd best.
Steelers will be looking to add to a running back room with restricted free agent Jaylen Warren and Cordarrelle Patterson, who was oft-injured in 2024 and will make $3 million in 2025.