Steelers may be having second thoughts on Najee Harris’ future with pivotal deadline looming

Approaching year four in the league, this statement may come off as hyperbolic, but to this point, Najee Harris has had the best statistical start to a career for any RB in team history. 

Starting his Steelers tenure with three straight 1000-yard rushing seasons, Harris is on a shortlist of NFL players to accomplish such a feat and is the only player in franchise history to do so. 

That figure speaks to not only how impactful Harris has been, but his durability. Since being taken in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Harris has played and started in all 51 games of his career. 

That includes recording over 4100 yards from scrimmage and 28 total TDs, meaning Harris is averaging over 1300 yards and nine TDs a season. 

Add on the fact that the acceptance of his fifth-year option comes at a cost-friendly rate of $6.79 million, and why this isn’t done yet is beyond me.

Picking up the option ties Harris to Pittsburgh through the 2025 season. Harris would then be 28 heading into 2026, leaving him with a chance to sign a shorter deal with Pittsburgh or look elsewhere. 

In my opinion, this decision should have come a long time ago. You’re getting elite production for hardly any cost and an opportunity to make a clean break two seasons from now. 

This person this hurts the most is Harris, who is apart a RB position that is increasingly viewed as fungible. His opportunity to earn a significant second contract will be hampered by the current structure of the collective bargaining agreement and the leagues view of the position. So while giving him a long-term deal probably isn’t smart, locking up a franchise record holder in the prime of his career seems like a done deal, even if Pittsburgh makes you wonder with every passing hour.