Steelers Face Tough Decisions as Najee Harris Hits Free Agency

BALTIMORE, Maryland — Following a disappointing playoff exit, the Pittsburgh Steelers must decide the future of running back Najee Harris as he heads into free agency next month. After a promising start to the season, finishing 10-3, the Steelers faltered with four consecutive losses and a wild-card defeat to the Baltimore Ravens, concluding their season with a thumping 28-14 loss.

Harris and tight end Pat Freiermuth, visibly affected by the season’s end, reflected on their struggles. “Been through a lot,” Freiermuth remarked to the cameras from HBO’s “Hard Knocks.” “Wish it could have been different.”

As the Steelers analyzed their season, the focus now shifts to the backfield. Pittsburgh ranked fourth in rushing attempts in 2024, indicating the importance of having a strong running game. General manager Omar Khan’s immediate decision involves whether to retain Harris, who has not missed a game in his four-year career, before free agency opens on March 12.

“Shoot man, this is a business,” Harris acknowledged before the loss. “It’s a production business, obviously. I’ve been put in situations where you’ve got to make the best of your opportunities. Whatever that is, it is.”

Over his tenure, Harris has amassed the second-most carries (1,097) and fifth-most rushing yards (4,312) among running backs since 2021. Despite these statistics, he faces challenges, specifically a career average of 3.9 yards per carry, which ranks poorly among players with at least 200 carries in that timeframe.

The Steelers decided not to exercise Harris’s fifth-year option, originally set at $6.7 million, which suggests limited confidence in his performance under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s system. Nevertheless, after another season with similar numbers—263 carries for 1,043 yards and six rushing touchdowns—the decision on whether to keep him remains complex.

If the Steelers decide against re-signing Harris, they will likely explore their options. While Harris has proven durable, his inefficiency has raised concerns. As the team looks to the free agency market, Spotrac.com estimates Harris could command a three-year deal worth $27.5 million, a cost that may not justify his recent production.

Jaylen Warren may be next in line should Harris depart. Despite a promising start in 2022 as an undrafted rookie, Warren faced injuries during the 2024 season which hindered his performance (120 carries for 511 yards). Now a restricted free agent, the Steelers must decide how to tender him.

The upcoming NFL Draft presents further opportunities for the Steelers to reshape their running game. Dane Brugler, the lead draft analyst for The Athletic, listed several running backs to consider, including Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson, North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton, and others with unique skill sets suited for the Steelers’ needs.

As the team grapples with these decisions, potential shifts in their running strategy could change the structure of Pittsburgh’s backfield. The challenge lies ahead: how to maintain competitiveness while grooming a new generation of talent.

Ultimately, Harris’s status will significantly impact the Steelers’ offseason strategy. If they choose to part ways with the former first-round pick, they risk turning their back on a player who has been reliable, yet may not fit their evolving needs.

As March approaches, the Steelers organization will likely clarify its direction, ensuring every decision aligns with its long-term vision.