Steelers’ Najee Harris Faces Uncertain Future Ahead of Playoff Game

PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris enters his 71st game with the team on Saturday in a playoff matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, knowing it could be his last in the black and gold. The former first-round pick, who has been a consistent force for the Steelers, faces an uncertain future as he heads into free agency in 2025.

“Compartmentalizing (those feelings) is not hard,” Harris said Thursday. “But (I am) realizing the situation, what it is. You realize what it is. And (come) the offseason, whenever it is, whatever happens after this season … all you can do is see what happens next.”

Harris has been a model of durability and consistency since joining the Steelers in 2021. He has played in all 68 regular-season games and two playoff contests over four seasons, becoming the only running back in the NFL to rush for over 1,000 yards in each of those years. However, his future with the team is in doubt after Pittsburgh declined to exercise his $6.97 million fifth-year option.

Despite his impressive stats, Harris has faced criticism for his efficiency. He averages 3.9 yards per carry and has yet to break a run of 40-plus yards in his career. Teammate Jaylen Warren has been more explosive, averaging 3.39 yards after contact compared to Harris’ 2.91. This has led to speculation that the Steelers may move on from Harris after the season.

Harris, however, remains focused on the task at hand: winning his first playoff game. “Soak it in? Shoot, man, this is a business,” Harris said. “This is a production business, obviously. All you can do is … I’ve been put in situations where I’ve got to make the best of my opportunities. Whatever that is, it is, and if you can say you’ve done the best you can, that’s all you can do.”

The Steelers enter the playoffs on a four-game losing streak, but Harris is optimistic about their chances. “We got to take care of the ball,” he said. “Taking care of the ball’s important. Executing our plays – executing small assignments and getting back to our winning football.”

If this is Harris’ final game with the Steelers, he hopes to leave a lasting impression. “You can’t lose sight of the fact that that’s the main goal at the end of the day,” Harris said. “Yeah, you want to have good (individual stats) and everything, but, at the end of the day, it’s about the team win. If the team wins, everybody eats. If the team doesn’t win, it really doesn’t matter.”