RB Najee Harris named as potential leader for Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin raised eyebrows during a podcast appearance last month when he named running back and 2021 rookie Najee Harris as a potential team leader following the retirement of longtime quarterback and future Hall of Famer Ben Roethlisberger.

Free-agent pickup Mitchell Trubisky is well on his way to serving as Roethlisberger's immediate successor ahead of first-round draft selection Kenny Pickett but has only been attached to the organization since March. As Josh Carney noted for Steelers Depot, Will Selva, a host for NFL Network's "Good Morning Football" program, also mentioned Harris as a Steelers offensive player capable of taking on a more outspoken leadership role as soon as training camp and the preseason. 

"I'm going with Najee Harris," Selva said about the matter during a Wednesday segment. "Why Najee Harris? Well, there is no Big Ben. Pickett is a rookie. Trubisky is still trying to establish himself as a leader and just as a quarterback there in Pittsburgh. There is a former Alabama teammate of Najee Harris', his name is Chris Owens, and he had talked about how Najee was at Alabama...He would bring the energy. And I think that's what he's gonna do here.

"Mike Tomlin also had told a podcast recently that (All-Pro defensive tackle) Cam Heyward has actually taken Najee Harris under his wing, and really, really solidified that leadership gene in him. So for me, I think it is Najee Harris there in Pittsburgh." 

Per ESPN stats, Harris finished his debut pro season fourth among all players with 1,200 rushing yards and second with 307 carries. The 24-year-old is expected to again be a key contributor for the Pittsburgh offense and a weapon who will ideally make Trubisky's job easier beginning in Week 1.