RB Najee Harris named Steelers MVP candidate for 2022 NFL season

All things being equal, All-Pro edge-rusher and reigning Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt is probably the most talented overall player attached to the Pittsburgh Steelers ahead of training camp. Watt tied the NFL single-season sack record with 22.5 quarterback takedowns during the 2021 campaign and could better that mark this coming season, and that's just one reason why he was recently mentioned as a potential league Most Valuable Player candidate heading into summer practices. 

As Pro Football Reference points out, though, offensive players -- specifically quarterbacks -- routinely earn MVP honors in the modern league. All-time great Lawrence Taylor was the last defensive player to win the award, and he did so for the 1986 season. 

Barring a surprising development, former Chicago Bears castoff Mitchell Trubisky will begin Week 1 in September as Pittsburgh's starting quarterback. Trubisky should be helped early and often by running back and 2021 rookie Najee Harris, who finished his debut pro season with 1,200 yards and seven touchdowns on 307 carries to go along with 74 receptions for 467 yards and three additional scores. 

For a piece published Wednesday, The Athletic's Mark Kaboly explained why he believes Harris and not Watt could be Pittsburgh's MVP this season when all is said and done. 

"T.J. Watt was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 with 22 1/2 sacks, so it’s easy to go that route again. Thinking differently, Najee Harris might be even more important to the success or failure of the 2022 Steelers," Kaboly noted. "With a new quarterback under center for the first time since 2004, the Steelers not only want to establish the run but need to establish the run with Harris. The running back has gotten bigger and especially stronger after a rookie season that saw him play better down the stretch without much help from his offensive line. The Steelers upgraded their guys up front and wouldn’t be against another 381-touch season like he had a year ago. They have openly talked about limiting some of his snaps but no mention of scaling back his touches."

The Steelers likely will need to qualify for the playoffs for Harris to even flirt with receiving any NFL MVP votes come January. Assuming Trubisky meets the high expectations reportedly had for him among coaches, Pittsburgh playing meaningful football early into 2023 seems a realistic possibility.