Steelers’ Najee Harris Projected To Land Three-Year, $27 Million Deal

The Pittsburgh Steelers made a tough decision ahead of the 2024 season.

Pittsburgh declined Harris’ fifth-year option on his rookie deal. Harris has been a staple in the Steelers’ offense over the last four years and hasn’t had a season with under 1,000 rushing yards. The 26-year-old certainly has done well for himself in his final year before free agency.

Harris will be a free agent at the end of the season because the Steelers declined the option. It’s unclear if he will be back with Pittsburgh in 2025 as he should be one of the more sought-after free agents on the open market. Harris currently is projected to land a three-year, roughly $27 million deal by Spotrac.

That seems like a pretty fair price for a dependable running back who also is solid in the passing game. Harris had 74 receptions as a rookie, 41 receptions in 2022, 29 receptions in 2023, and 32 catches so far this season. He still has one more game to add to these numbers before the regular season comes to an end.

Pittsburgh should do whatever it can to keep Harris around beyond this season. If this season showed anything, it did show it is worth bringing in solid running backs. The Baltimore Ravens gave Derrick Henry a nice, big deal and they are looking like contenders. The Green Bay Packers signed Josh Jacobs and they look great. The Cincinnati Bengals let Joe Mixon walk to the Houston Texans and haven’t been as good this year.

If the Steelers want to continue to be one of the better teams in the AFC, they absolutely should re-sign Harris.

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