PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – He's had nothing but 1,000-yard seasons with the Steelers, but the team is not picking up the fifth-year option on running back Najee Harris. The move will make Harris a free agent after the 2024 season and save the team $6.7 million in 2025 according to overthecap.com.
Harris' NFL career
· 2023—finished seventh in the NFL with 1,035 rushing yards with eight touchdowns
· 2022—finished 15th in the NFL with 1,034 rushing yards with seven touchdowns
· 2021—finished fourth in the NFL with 1,200 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. He also had a career-high 74 receptions for 467 yards and three touchdowns.
The Steelers rushing game improved every year he's been with the team, finishing 28th as a team his rookie season, 16th in his second year and 13th last year. While dealing with nagging injuries, Harris never missed a game with the Steelers. They would still hold his rights with the opportunity to re-sign him before free agency begins next year.
The team declined the fifth-year option on quarterback Justin Fields, making him a free agent in 2024. The estimated cost if they would have picked up his option is $22.48 million (per overthecap.com). Fields was acquired in a trade this offseason.
All first-round picks have a team-option for a fifth season, but must be picked up before entering season number four. Steelers won't have the decision to make next season after trading 2022 first-round pick Kenny Pickett to Philadelphia.
