Will the Pittsburgh Steelers find a way to keep one of their stars around beyond this season?
Steelers Pro Bowl running back Najee Harris will be a free agent at the end of the season after the Steelers decided to decline the fifth-year option on his rookie deal. If the Steelers had picked it up, he would’ve had a cap hit of just under $7 million for the 2025 season.
At this point, it’s too early to know what he will get in the open market. He has shined this season and has 824 rushing yards in 12 games played so far this year to go along with four touchdowns. Harris also has 249 receiving yards on 29 catches this season.
He has done a little bit of everything so far this season and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said that he has “really helped himself” with free agency approaching.
“One player who has really helped himself is Pittsburgh’s Najee Harris,” Fowler said. “He’s on pace for nearly 1,200 rushing yards, which would be a career-high, and is about to eclipse 1,000 yards for the fourth time in his four seasons. None of his current peers have accomplished that feat. Yes, open-field speed is an issue, but he can dictate the pace in the right offense. Also, the Chargers’ J.K. Dobbins showed he’s an explosive 1,000-yard back when healthy, but he’s hurt once again.”
Story continues below advertisement
Harris is just 26 years old and surely will do well once free agency hits if he keeps playing the way he has. Hopefully, the Steelers continue to find ways to win games and maybe even bring Harris back in 2025.
More NFL: Steelers Larry Ogunjobi Earns Award Nomination For Community Impact
Featured image via Ken Blaze/Imagn Images