The Pittsburgh Steelers have a lot of questions that need to be answered during the 2025 offseason. It is clear that more talent needs to be added to the roster, especially on the offensive side of the football. In addition to that, Pittsburgh must decide on the future of some of its key starters. Russell Wilson is slated to hit free agency (barring a new deal) as is running back Najee Harris. Harris has been a good ball-carrier for the Steelers, but he certainly hasn’t lived up to his first-round label.
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Steelers’ Najee Harris scores a touchdown during the 2024 season against the New York Jets.
The organization surprised a lot of the fanbase when it decided to not pick up Harris’ fifth-year option. Had the option been picked up Harris would have been locked in with the Steelers through the 2025 season, but now the back is slated to hit free agency.
Harris has not missed a start while playing with Pittsburgh, and he has eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards in each of his first four seasons in the NFL which is an impressive milestone. With the running back set to hit the open market, it will be interesting to see where he ends up. Maxx Crosby has already begun recruiting the running back, which he made clear on his podcast The Rush With Maxx Crosby.
“Why not? I mean he’s from the Bay, you know what I mean?” Crosby said. “You never know. Sh*t, Najees a baller. Anybody that could help when it comes to winning and being a culture guy, thats the type of guys you want around. You’ve seen Najee, like he’s played four years in the league, he’s had 1,000 yards every every single season. Like that alone is extremely impressive so yeah bring in a guy like Najee, he’s a tough motherf**ker, he’s hard to tackle too. He’s my guy, obviously I’m a little biased. We have the same agent.”
The Raiders make a lot of sense when it comes to being a landing spot for Harris. The group is currently in a rebuilding phase as the organization searches for its next head coach and general manager. Harris could be seen as a culture-guy as he would come in from Pittsburgh, where the winning culture is strong regardless of what the fanbase currently thinks.
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Steelers RB Najee Harris put together his best performance of the 2023 season in Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Crosby and Harris are fairly familiar with one another. As Crosby said, they have the same agent so there is an obvious connection there. However, the Steelers and Raiders have squared off in each of Harris’ first four seasons. He consistently performs well against the Raiders, as his best game of the 2024 season came in Las Vegas. The running back recorded 106 rushing yards on 14 carries and scored a touchdown.
It seems very unlikely that Pittsburgh will look to bring back Harris. Jaylen Warren has been the better running back in Pittsburgh at times, and he would probably be a cheaper option. Pairing Warren with a late-round rookie makes more sense than bringing back Harris on a new, multi-year deal.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers’ Najee Harris running with the football against the Bengals.
Steelers’ Harris Should Have Options In Free Agency
Throughout the entire 2024 season it has felt like it would be Harris’ last year with the Steelers. The writing has been on the wall. There is an obvious connection with Las Vegas. Harris was raised on the West Coast and it is likely the veteran running back would like to return to that side of the country. Aside from the Raiders, there should be other teams in pursuit of Harris’ services.
Another team with some uncertainty at running back is the Los Angeles Chargers. JK Dobbins is set to hit free agency and he may have a high price tag after a very successful 2024 campaign. There is still the chance that the running back re-signs in Pittsburgh, but he may search for a change of scenery.
