Pittsburgh Steelers Make Decision: Running Back Najee Harris’ Future with the Team is Uncertain

Thursday marked the deadline for teams to make decisions on the fifth-year options of their 2021 first-round draft picks. Most teams had already disclosed their choices in recent days, but the Pittsburgh Steelers had held off on announcing their decision regarding running back Najee Harris until Thursday afternoon. Multiple reports have confirmed that the Steelers have chosen not to exercise their option on Harris, the 24th overall pick in the draft. This means that Harris will now be on track to become a free agent after the upcoming season.

Had the option been picked up, Harris would have been guaranteed a salary of $6.79 million for the 2025 season. However, through his three seasons with the Steelers, Harris has been a consistent performer, surpassing 1,000 rushing yards each year and scoring 28 touchdowns while playing in every game.

One potential factor in this decision could be the emergence of Jaylen Warren as a more explosive option in the backfield last season. The Steelers may also want to wait and assess how the upcoming 2024 season unfolds before committing to Harris beyond the current season.

Despite his impressive performance with the Steelers, it seems that Harris’ future with the team is uncertain. The team may choose to focus on other areas of improvement or invest in younger talent for future seasons.

In conclusion, Thursday marked an important day for teams to make decisions regarding their draft picks’ fifth-year options. While most teams had already made their choices, the Pittsburgh Steelers waited until Thursday afternoon to announce their decision regarding running back Najee Harris. Unfortunately for Harris, it appears that he will not be guaranteed a salary for another five years with the team and will likely become a free agent after next season.