Steelers Are Completely Confident In Najee Harris: 'The Idea Will Be To Give Him A New Contract'

The Pittsburgh Steelers shocked a lot of fans when they waited until the last possible moment before the deadline to decline Najee Harris’ fifth-year option, since picking up the option felt like a no-brainer. Harris has been one of the most productive running backs in the league since he entered the NFL in 2021, despite running behind a lackluster offensive line and playing in an offense with a nonexistent passing game for most of his career. With the option being declined, Harris will be a free agent following the 2024 season, but a new deal for Harris in Pittsburgh is still on the table.

While Harris has been productive so far in his career, he hasn't quite lived up to the first-round label he was given when the Steelers drafted him with the 24th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. When Pittsburgh declined his option, it could have been assumed that the organization wasn't satisfied with the way he has played to begin his career, but it is actually the opposite. Gerry Dulac made an appearance on The End Zone on SiriusXM and shared that the decision to decline the option was a financial decision, and Harris is still in the future plans.

"They are not dissatisfied with Najee Harris, I think the idea will be to give him a new contract, a two-year contract. And somewhere along the line, that type of money that he was missing out on, $6.79 million will reflected in a signing bonus. And then they'll maybe backload it a little bit and see with the shelf life of running backs in the National Football League. I think that's what they're going to do. They are not ready to give up on Najee Harris or move on from Najee Harris."

Trade rumors revolving around Harris emerged shortly after the news broke that his option was being declined, while reports also circulated suggesting that Harris no longer wanted to be in Pittsburgh and he told the organization to decline his option. Both of these were false, as his agent quickly announced to the public that there was no validity around the reports saying Harris was unhappy in Pittsburgh. 

Harris had his most efficient season in 2023 since joining the Steelers. He had the lowest carries in a season so far in his career thanks to the emergence of his counterpart, Jaylen Warren. Despite Harris' usage going down, he averaged the most yards per carry of his career with 4.1 while recording his third consecutive 1,000-yard campaign. 

The run game for Pittsburgh should only improve in 2024, as they brought in a new offensive coordinator in Arthur Smith who is known for running an often successful run-heavy offense. Harris will also be running behind the best offensive line of his career, as the Steelers selected Troy Fautanu and Zach Frazier in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Steelers don't often negotiate new deals mid-season, so if a deal is not done by the end of training camp, Harris could command a big pay day after a successful season in 2024.

Steelers Could Be Giving New Deals To Both Running Backs

If the Steelers have Harris in their future plans, they need to work out a new deal that will keep him in Pittsburgh past 2024. Meanwhile, Warren is also only under contract through 2024 and will be a restricted free agent following the upcoming season. Harris will be able to sign wherever he wants to if the two parties don't agree to terms on a new contract, while Pittsburgh will given the chance to match any contract offer Warren receives from other organizations in the NFL. If they match any offer given to Warren, he will have to sign with Pittsburgh and won't have the decision to go elsewhere.

Do you want Pittsburgh to sign two running backs to new deals after the 2024 season?