Najee Harris Says ‘It Is What It Is’ After Steelers Declined Team Option

With training camp kicking into gear, it’s time to look ahead for the Pittsburgh Steelers and their key players.

Pittsburgh and its players reported to training camp on Wednesday, ready to get going for the 2024 NFL season. Among the players arriving for camp was running back Najee Harris, who has a lot to prove this season as he plays for a contract.

The Steelers declined the fifth-year option of their former first pick on May 2, meaning that he will have to play without a deal for the future this upcoming season. It was a bit of a shock considering that Harris, along with Jaylen Warren, was the main force behind the offense last season.

When the 26-year-old arrived to training camp, he revealed that he was “disappointed for a minute” but knew to move on and get ready for the new season — saying “it is what it is.”

“I was disappointed for a minute, but it’s nothing really where me sitting around being disappointed for too long will do anything to help me out,” Harris said, as transcribed by NFL Network’s Kevin Patra. “I think that it is what it is. You’ve got to keep pushing, and knowing that coming out here and doing what’s best for the team and having a good year is what’s most important right now.”

Patra notes that Harris “wants to remain in Pittsburgh long term” but understands the business side of the league.

Harris has played three NFL seasons, running for more than 1,000 yards in each of them. Last season, he finished with 1,035 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 4.1 yards per carry.

The running back is looking forward and should be a major force in the expected run-heavy offense of new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.

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