After the Pittsburgh Steelers decided to decline running back Najee Harris' fifth-year option, there is a ton of speculation going around regarding his future in the Steel City. Harris is a three time 1,000 yard rusher in each of his first three seasons, becoming the first ever Steeler to do so. Unless Pittsburgh and Harris agree on an extension for a new contract, the former Pro-Bowler will be going into the 2025 season as an unrestricted free agent.
Harris' fifth-year option was worth $6.79 million, which doesn't appear as much. Still, the Steelers would prefer to see how the 2024 season plays out as Harris and Jaylen Warren could both be fighting for the starting job in 2025. Warren, 25, entered the 2022 NFL draft but was unable to get selected out of the seven rounds. As an undrafted free agent, Warren signed a three year rookie contract deal worth around $2.5 million with Pittsburgh. As Harris' backup, Warren quickly became a fan favorite in Pittsburgh, as some are even calling for him to be the starting running back.
After two seasons with the Steelers behind Harris, Warren has carried the ball 226 times for 1,163 yards, earned over five yards per carry, and scored five touchdowns. The play maker has also accounted for 89 receptions for nearly 600 yards. Warren's most attractive and favorable ability on the field is his explosive burst, which is something Harris doesn't obtain. That reason alone is why many fans and analysts prefer seeing Warren on the field more than Harris, which has not been the case to this point.
Pro Football Talk host and NFL analyst Mike Florio explained Pittsburgh's biggest issue with the Harris-Warren dilemma and why he believes the Steelers declined Harris' option.
"The thing about Najee Harris, the difference between him and Jaylen Warren, I mean Harris will get you the tough yards between the tackles, and I think there's something about that overall intensity and attitude that is quintessential Pittsburgh football. The problem is, he doesn't have the natural burst that Jaylen Warren does. And to be highly successful as a running back in the NFL, its not enough to just say 'I will run into any brick wall they put in front of me'."
Florio has an interesting and yet similar perspective to many Pittsburgh fans on the Harris and Warren subject. Sometimes even fans get a little more excited when Warren goes for a big rush as compared to Harris. They love both but the fans have recognized that extra burst Warren runs with.
"When Najee Harris gets the ball in his hands it is a different feeling than when Jaylen Warren does, it's that simple."
Whether one is better than the other or not, right now the best thing for the Steelers is continuing to improve the one-two punch between the two which they have been doing since 2022. With new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith coming to Pittsburgh, the Steelers' offense has the chance to become extremely dangerous, and that will be starting with the running backs.
Florio has also recently explained that the Steelers declining the option could all just be an attempt to get the best out of Harris this upcoming season, as he has slightly regressed since his rookie season. There is always the possibility that Pittsburgh will give Harris an extension at some point this year, but when that will be is remained to be seen.
Steelers' Plan On Snap Count For The Dynamic Duo In 2024
There hasn't been a single instance where Warren received more carries than Harris, but could that change this year? It's fair to assume that early on in the season Harris will still get more touches than Warren, or at the very least they will be even. Harris will have to continue to regress significantly in order to see Warren earn more touches than Harris or to become the starter. In Smith's offense, however, you could imagine that the Steelers plan to run the ball around 30 to 40 times a game, which would increase the workload for Warren.
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