The Steelers can replace Najee Harris

Before I dive into my overall thoughts on the Pittsburgh Steelers declining to pick up Najee Harris’ fifth-year option, let me make a few things clear: I like Najee Harris, I think he is a good running back, and I think the Steelers should have picked up his fifth-year option. However, his production wouldn’t be difficult to replace should the Steelers let him walk in free agency in 2025.

I know what many of you are probably saying; “He had 1,000 yards in each of the last three years.” And that’s a fair point- that’s not an easy feat to accomplish, and he’s the only player in team history to have 1,000 yards in each of his first three seasons.

I push back with these numbers, though. He’s only averaged more than four yards per carry once, which came last season. In 51 games, he has surpassed 100 yards only six times. There’s no explosiveness to Harris’ game. In his career, Harris doesn’t have a run of 40 yards or more, and he didn’t have a run of over 25 yards last season.

And I also hear the argument of the bad offensive line- it is also a valid argument. However, Jaylen Warren played behind that same offensive line and averaged 5.3 yards per carry to Harris’ 4.1. Harris had eight carries of 20 yards or more, and credit to him for that- he ranked fourth in the NFL. When you go big run per carry, that averages out to about one big run every 32 carries. For comparison, Warren had a big run every 25 carries. Warren is also giving the Steelers much more from a receiving standpoint. Harris had 29 catches for 170 yards in 2023- Warren had 61 for 370.

Overall in 51 games, Harris is averaging about 64 yards per game on the ground, and isn’t a proven home-run hitter who is a threat to take any run to the house. So while I believe the Steelers should have picked up his fifth-year option, as it would have only made him the 12th-highest paid running back in football, his production wouldn’t be difficult to replace. They have a replacement already in-house with Warren, who for my money is the better running back to begin with.

Would I like to see Harris sign an extension with the Steelers? Yes. And do I think he is going to have another good season with Pittsburgh? I do. However, Warren is also going to have a tremendous year. And I think the Steelers thought of this long-term, want to keep Warren around, and weren’t going to pay two running backs. Business wise and money wise, that makes sense. But one thing does seem to be clear with this move- Pittsburgh values Jaylen Warren more, and there is a very good chance he starts in 2025.

Overall in 51 games, Harris is averaging about 64 yards per game on the ground, and isn’t a proven home-run hitter who is a threat to take any run to the house. So while I believe the Steelers should have picked up his fifth-year option, as it would have only made him the 12th-highest paid running back in football, his production wouldn’t be difficult to replace. They have a replacement already in-house with Warren, who for my money is the better running back to begin with.

Would I like to see Harris sign an extension with the Steelers? Yes. And do I think he is going to have another good season with Pittsburgh? I do. However, Warren is also going to have a tremendous year. And I think the Steelers thought of this long-term, want to keep Warren around, and weren’t going to pay two running backs. Business wise and money wise, that makes sense. But one thing does seem to be clear with this move- Pittsburgh values Jaylen Warren more, and there is a very good chance he starts in 2025.