Steelers to lose Pro Bowl RB to AFC rival

It looked like everything was coming up aces for the Pittsburgh Steelers as the new NFL year gets set to kick off.

On Sunday, general manager Omar Khan agreed to trade for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf, and the very next day he landed Super Bowl champion CB Darius Slay in free agency. That's an impressive haul for just 24 hours.

But, alas, things do come at a cost. Backup quarterback Justin Fields agreed to sign for the New York Jets on Monday and now another key component of head coach Mike Tomlin's offense is walking out the door.

Running back Najee Harris agreed to sign with the Los Angeles Chargers on a one-year deal worth up to $9.25M, per multiple reports.

The Alabama product was drafted 24th overall in 2021 and recorded at least 1,000 yards in each of his four seasons in Pittsburgh.

Harris never scored more than eight rushing touchdowns for the Steelers but under head coach Jim Harbaugh in Los Angeles, his fortunes may turn around.

He'll be replacing RB J.K. Dobbins who played just 13 games for the Chargers in 2024 due to a knee sprain suffered in Week 12. He logged 905 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.

Pittsburgh is left with backup Jaylen Warren to step up in Harris' absence, who received a second-round tender Monday as a restricted free agent. He'll earn $5.346M if he plays out the 2025 season.

The third-year veteran out of Oklahoma State recorded 511 rushing yards and one touchdown in 2024, typically used more frequently in the Steelers' passing game (310 receiving yards).

Khan may need to explore the free-agent running back market, which is significantly weaker than last season's. Rico Dowdle, Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt round out the list of best available options after Monday.

Letting Harris walk away was an interesting choice. That could indicate Pittsburgh is taking a run at a big name free agent QB like Aaron Rodgers.

Whatever the case, the Steelers running game is at a severe disadvantage entering the 2025 season without Harris.