Najee Harris may seem like an aged veteran in the NFL landscape, but believe it or not, he’s heading into free agency for the very first time this offseason. At 26, Harris is still in the prime of his career, bringing youth and vigor to the conversation, particularly when compared to the Minnesota Vikings’ current starting running back, Aaron Jones, who sits at 30. With the Pittsburgh Steelers wrapping up another playoff run that concluded at the wild card stage, it leads to an intriguing possibility: should they begin a rebuild, holding onto Harris might not align with their future vision.
Now, before everyone gets ahead of themselves, let’s clarify—this is a prediction, not a confirmed report.
Departing the Steel City
The Steelers have found themselves in the middle of the pack lately. With an offense that hasn’t hit the high notes in recent years, and no signs of a significant playoff breakthrough in the immediate future, allocating cap space to Harris might not be their play. They could instead turn their focus to a promising 2025 draft class, rich with running back talent, and likely save some precious salary cap space in the process.
Yet, let’s not let this overshadow the fact that Harris’s tenure with the Steelers has been anything but disappointing. He was drafted in 2021 and has impressively run for over 1,000 yards each season since. Sure, his 3.9 yards per carry might not jump off the page, but he’s also hauled in 180 receptions over four seasons, showcasing his versatility and reliability as a dual-threat in the backfield.
A Fresh Start with the Vikings?
If Harris does find himself donning purple and gold, the outlook in Minnesota could be quite intriguing. Though the Vikings come with certain challenges, they’ve shown potential, eyeing a peak in performance in 2026.
Aaron Jones was stellar in 2024, notching up 1,138 yards at a healthy 4.5 yards per carry, paired with five touchdowns. However, at 30, the mileage starts to matter, and having a younger option like Harris could offer a strategic advantage.
The Vikings are likely considering this from a long-term perspective. If Harris steps into Jones’s shoes, it alleviates some pressure in 2025 when potentially starting rookie quarterback J.J.
McCarthy. Betting on a running back nearing 31 might not make the best sense when looking to the future.
Harris, while not quite the same caliber as Jones in terms of pass-catching, still brings a similar style to the table. Jones grabbed 51 receptions in 2024, a benchmark Harris can aim for and potentially match or exceed, given the new environment and opportunities. Bringing Harris into the fold could mean a longer, more competitive Super Bowl window for the Vikings, blending the right mix of experienced talent and youthful energy to keep the team agile and formidable on the gridiron.
