What Is the Likelihood Najee Harris Returns to Pittsburgh?
p/c: Ron Chenoy
The Pittsburgh Steelers will have plenty of interesting decisions to make this offseason. Most of which will need to be addressed, on the offensive side of the ball. One of the most notable involves Najee Harris.
Despite coming off a 1,000 yard rushing season, in 2023, the Steelers made the surprising choice, to decline Harris’ fifth-year option last offseason.
2024 was more of the same, for the former first rounder, as he rushed for 1,043 yards - marking his fourth consecutive 1,000 yard campaign.
According to StatMuse, Harris has the fifth most rushing yards since joining the league in 2021, while also playing the most games of any running back, in that stretch.
Harris is set to be an unrestricted free agent, and will be one of the top backs, on the open market. So is there a chance that he chooses to sign elsewhere?
The Steelers re-signing Harris could depend on a couple of factors. Russell Wilson, who’s also a UFA, has a desire, to stay in Pittsburgh, and might want to sign long-term. Another factor would be the Steelers possibly going aggressive, on a big time wide receiver.
It’s no secret that the Steelers fancy themselves as a ball control offense. Harris has been productive, as well as extremely durable.
If Pittsburgh wants to realistically bring Harris back into the fold, then perhaps they move on from Wilson, as a money saver, and re-sign Justin Fields, to a much more inexpensive contract. Perhaps not breaking the bank on a receiver would create more funds, with the additional cap space the Steelers will have this offseason, to try and get Harris inked to a deal.