Insider shuts down Cowboys trade rumors for former first-round RB
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris.
The Pittsburgh Steelers opted to decline the $6.8M fifth-year option on running back Najee Harris last week, which immediately resulted in the former first-rounder’s name being floated around as a potential trade target.
On Monday, Adam Crowley of Pittsburgh’s 93.7 The Fan said Harris to the Dallas Cowboys was a “hot” rumor he had been hearing.
However, NFL Network insider Jane Slater has since shut down those rumors.
“On these Najee Harris and Cowboys reports, team source tells me ‘click bait,'” Slater posted on platform X.
If Harris were to be made available, it makes sense that the Cowboys would be interested in acquiring him.
Dallas’ running back room is highlighted by soon-to-be 29-year-old Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle, an undrafted free agent in 2020.
Harris would immediately upgrade the room after becoming the first player in Steelers history to rush for 1,000 yards in each of his first three seasons. However, that is the exact reason why it would be surprising if Pittsburgh was willing to part ways with him.
The Steelers are also reportedly “still open to doing business” with Harris but wanted to see how he and 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.
That doesn’t mean Harris will end up re-signing with Pittsburgh following the 2024 season, but it supports the idea that he is off limits for now.
Harris has been vocal about how he disagrees with the devaluation of running backs. The Steelers’ decision to decline his fairly cheap option could prove the two sides are far apart and that Harris is heading into his final season in Pittsburgh.
The Cowboys seem content with the state of their current running back room for now, but they may revisit the idea of adding Harris next offseason if he tests the open market.
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