Hall of Fame RB defends Najee Harris after Steelers decline fifth-year option
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris.
The Steelers declined the fifth-year option on running back Najee Harris.
It’s a move that has been highly debated since Harris became the first player in franchise history to rush for 1,000 yards in each of his first three seasons.
Some believe it made sense for Pittsburgh to decline the option with the idea that Harris’ numbers are more of a product of quantity rather than quality. Harris is the only player in the NFL with at least 250 carries in each of the last three seasons, per ESPN Stats & Info.
Others think it should have been a no-brainer to exercise since it was worth just $6.79 million.
Steelers Hall of Fame running back Jerome Bettis joined the conversation Friday and seems to lean the latter.
“The Steelers didn’t give Najee Harris the offensive line to have success,” Bettis said on Pittsburgh’s 93.7 The Fan.
Pittsburgh has had one of the league’s worst offensive lines since Harris entered the league as the No. 24 overall pick in 2021.
The Steelers finally put the finishing touches on their O-line through the 2024 NFL Draft with offensive tackle Troy Fautanu in the first round (No. 20) and center Zach Frazier in the second round (No. 51).
However, that could cause Pittsburgh to come to regret its decision.
The Steelers are reportedly “still open to doing business” with Harris but want to see how he and fellow running back Jaylen Warren function in new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s offense before making a long-term commitment to them, according to ESPN’s Brooke Pryor.
If Harris has the dominant 2024 campaign many like Bettis think he can, it will cost Pittsburgh a lot more money in the long run or it will lose him all together.
Harris has been vocal about how he disagrees with the devaluation of running backs. That alone could hint the two sides might be far apart and that Harris is heading into his final season with the Steelers.
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