Steelers actions with Najee Harris speak louder than words.
Najee Harris’s career appeared to be over after the Pittsburgh Steelers rejected his fifth-year option. Harris was a previous first-round choice. Harris is scheduled to complete the remaining season of his rookie contract before becoming a free agent in 2025. Harris was one of Kevin Colbert’s final draft selections.
Speaking to the media recently, new general manager Omar Khan expressed optimism that running back Harris will stay with the Steelers past this season. But was that actually the case? Khan said the following in an interview with 93.7 The Fan.
49ers llscreen volume off At number 31, select Ricky Pearsall. In general, close Rollers’ behaviors with Najee Harris are more telling than their words. Regarding Najee Harris, Omar Khan was nothing but courteous, but the team’s actions demonstrate that they are ready to move on. Written by Tommy Jaggi on June 19, 2024 Philadelphia Eagles vs. Indianapolis Colts Indianapolis Colts vs. Pittsburgh Steelers – Justin Casterline/GettyImages Najee Harris’s career appeared to be over after the Pittsburgh Steelers rejected his fifth-year option. Harris was a previous first-round choice. Harris is scheduled to complete the remaining season of his rookie contract before becoming a free agent in 2025. Harris was one of Kevin Colbert’s final draft selections. Omar Khan, the new general manager, recently spoke with the media, and his remarks about
The Pittsburgh Steelers made a business decision, as stated by Khan, despite the fact that the fifth-year option would have only cost the team $6.79 million in 2025, according to Over the Cap. The general manager stated that he loves Najee Harris as a player and a person and that it’s awesome to have him around, but don’t take this as support for bringing him back for another season.
The Steelers will move on from Najee Harris by 2025. Omar Khan is fundamentally a businessman. He is aware of the market value of running backs and how the position has declined over time. Khan is undoubtedly aware that throwing in the towel in the first round isn’t a smart team-building tactic and that making the same mistake twice won’t solve it.
This is not to argue that Najee ought not to be awarded a decent deal. But with so many players the Steelers need to hold onto come off the bench in the upcoming summer, every dollar saved counts.
In the event that these players’ contracts are extended, Pittsburgh’s 2025 free agents include, among others, Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, Donte Jackson, Pat Freiermuth, Cameron Heyward, and James Daniels. It also doesn’t make financial sense for the organization to maintain both running backs on extension because Jaylen Warren is also due for a contract. After the 2024 season, the Steelers may consider Warren to be out of a job.
Harris’s greatest quality has always been his toughness, but he hasn’t distinguished himself from other NFL running backs in terms of efficiency. The former Alabama player barely qualifies as a dangerous receiving threat out of the backfield with his 3.9 yards per carry average over his first three years and his 4.7 yards per target in the passing game.
Although it seems like the Pittsburgh Steelers are moving in that direction, we weren’t prepared for Omar Khan to publicly state that the organization intends to part ways with Najee Harris after the 2024 campaign. Though I’m sure the front management and coaching staff adore Najee, it’s a financial judgment that the team would be better off turning a new leaf after this season.