Pittsburgh Steelers make a decision on former Alabama RB Najee Harris

Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Pittsburgh Steelers make a decision on former Alabama RB Najee Harris

Originally posted on Touchdown Alabama Magazine
By Stephen M. Smith | Last updated May 2, 2024 7:34 PM ET

Najee Harris is a three-time 1,000+ yard running back entering his fourth season in the National Football League.

He was selected at No. 24 overall in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 6-foot-1, 242-pounder finished sixth in the league for carries (255) and seventh for rushing yards (1,035) while totaling eight rushing touchdowns.

He has 3,269 yards rushing and 22 touchdowns across three years, but the Steelers have made a decision on the remainder of his rookie contract. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Thursday that Pittsburgh declined to pick up the fifth-year option on his deal.

Steelers declined the fifth-year option on RB Najee Harris, giving him the ability to become an unrestricted free agent after this season.

Steelers are not ruling out a deal later on. pic.twitter.com/EFNi7nHzW6

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 2, 2024

Harris was looking at $6.79 million for 2025, but he will be an unrestricted free agent instead. If both sides do not come to an agreement for a long-term contract, Harris begins his final season in the fall. He will have a base salary of $2.44 million.

The California native was a five-star in the University of Alabama’s 2017 recruiting class.

He was a two-time College Football Playoff National Champion in 2017 and 2020.

This article first appeared on Touchdown Alabama Magazine and was syndicated with permission.

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