The Pittsburgh Steelers posted a solid 2024 regular season, as the team went 10-7 and clinched a playoff berth for the fourth time in the last five seasons. Pittsburgh will travel to M&T Bank Stadium to square off against the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card Round. Both teams each won a game in the season series and were the top two teams in the AFC North.
Though the Steelers are a consistent playoff team, Mike Tomlin’s squad hasn’t won a postseason game since 2016 and lost four straight games to end the regular season. Pittsburgh’s offense continues to be an area of concern, as the unit has been lackluster over the last few games, and a massive reason for their struggles is the underwhelming play of running back Najee Harris.
Harris had a fantastic start to the season but has been incredibly inefficient lately, as the former Alabama standout has averaged just 3.5 yards per carry since Week 10 and hasn’t had a 100-yard game in over two months.
The Steelers declined Harris’ fifth-year option during the 2024 offseason, meaning the 26-year-old will be an unrestricted free agent in March. Though general manager Omar Khan could look to re-sign the 2021 Pro Bowler, Bleacher Report’s Dame Parson predicts Pittsburgh will select Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty to replace Harris.
The Steelers brand is built on a tough ground-and-pound rushing attack complemented by a ferocious defense. While the game has changed over the years and Ben Roethlisberger’s career redirected the franchise’s trajectory, a back-to-basics approach will allow Pittsburgh to compete for years to come in an always competitive AFC North.
Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty is a work horse capable of being the offensive focal point.
“Both Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren are on expiring contracts after this season,” Parson said. “Expectations are Wilson will be re-signed, thus selecting Ashton Jeanty gives them an extremely talented running back on a cheaper contract.
“Wilson throws a great moon (deep) ball, while Jeanty provides the quarterback with a strong play-action run-fake to force false steps by the defense. Jeanty is a disciplined runner with elite contact balance and a low center of gravity to become the face of the Steelers offense.”
Jeanty was arguably the most dynamic player in the country this season, as the Heisman candidate totaled 2,601 rushing yards and 29 rushing touchdowns, along with 138 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown in 2024. Jeanty’s explosiveness and quick burst make him one of the most exhilarating running back prospects to enter the draft in recent history.
The Steelers shouldn’t bring back Harris if the price tag is too high. The 2021 No.24 overall pick has reached his peak and hasn’t been very efficient throughout his career. Using a late first-round pick on Jeanty, who has superstar potential and could be an All-Pro level player in his rookie year, would be an excellent move by Omar Khan.
