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Troy Aikman Facing Backlash for What He Said About Najee Harris

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt Audilet | Last updated Jan 4, 2025 10:04 PM ET

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris is the only NFL RB to surpass the 1,000-yard mark in each of the last four seasons, and he continued to add to his total during Saturday's Week 18 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.

During this season-finale contest on Saturday night, the ESPN broadcast showed a graphic alluding to this rushing milestone for Harris.

Play-by-play man Joe Buck introduced the graphic, and analyst Troy Aikman shot it down immediately. The former Dallas Cowboys quarterback downplayed the accomplishment, saying the NFL world needs to "raise the bar" when it comes to praising 1,000-yard rushing seasons.

Each of Harris' four seasons have taken place since the NFL expanded its season to 17 games. His highest rushing total came when he notched 1,200 yards through 17 games in 2021.

Joe Buck: "Najee Harris has rushed for 1,000 yards all four seasons in the league."

Troy Aikman: "I can't tell you how little that impresses me."
— Cole Smith (@SkolSmith) January 5, 2025

Aikman's comment about Harris' accomplishment has sparked conversation around the NFL world.

"Aikman advocating for higher RB standards as soon as he realizes Najee Harris is a 1000 yard rusher is hilarious," one fan wrote.

"Troy Aikman just said 1000yd rushing shouldn't be considered a big accomplishment anymore with 17 games, in reference to @ohthatsNajee22 4 consecutive 1000yd seasons. I wholeheartedly disagree," another said.

"Gotta love Aikman just completely discrediting Najee having 4 straight thousand yard seasons," another added.

"Aikman said we have to reconsider 1,000 yard seasons with 17 games , Najee had 1,000 entering the game," another wrote.

What Troy Aikman basically said about Najee Harris somehow running for 1K yards again: pic.twitter.com/xLImJdNGUj
— Devon (@BlacknAction) January 5, 2025

Weird comment from Troy Aikman about 1000-yard RB seasons not mattering. It’s still 58.8 yards per game. Literally only these 19 guys have done that over a career. I’m not saying Najee Harris is this but averaging this level of production over 4 full seasons is not nothing pic.twitter.com/AqjtEwCTED
— Beau, former/never again Dem (@BeauInMaryland) January 5, 2025

Before Saturday night's Week 18 contest against the Bengals, Harris had amassed 1,007 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns through 16 regular-season games. Last year, he finished with 1,035 yards and eight touchdowns.

Harris notched the Steelers' lone touchdown of the first half.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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