Russell Wilson has been getting a lot of credit for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ success on offense, but he isn’t the only player who has been rolling. Najee Harris has been on a mission over the last few weeks, rushing for 100 yards in three-straight games. He’s been just as important as Wilson, and Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kyle Van Noy wants to make sure Harris is getting his share of the shine.
“Another player that’s going with his opportunity is Najee Harris,” Van Noy said recently on the McCoy and Van Noy podcast. “I feel like he’s setting the tone running the ball for them. I believe he didn’t get his fifth-year [option] picked up, and he’s running with a purpose. He’s really helped out that offense get going.”
The Ravens are the Steelers’ biggest rival, but there’s usually a mutual respect between the two teams. Van Noy has been in Baltimore since last year, so he’s familiar with how this rivalry works. Despite the Steelers being the Ravens’ biggest competition in the division, Van Noy still wants people to appreciate how well Harris has played recently.
Van Noy also played against Harris last year, so he has personal experience with the running back. He can clearly see Harris hitting another level this year. Not every game has been successful, but recently, Harris has arguably been the engine of the Steelers’ offense. Since Week 6, he’s been unstoppable.
It’s important to note that the Steelers are missing several starters along their offensive line too. They’re at the bottom of the barrel when it comes to depth. Still, Harris has been able to battle through contact and chug along.
Going into this season, there was a lot for Harris to prove. The Steelers did decline to pick up his fifth-year option, making him a free agent after this season. The Steelers’ offense had been dysfunctional, but none of that was Harris’ fault. He’s playing to show the Steelers that they’re wrong about him.
If he keeps running like he has been, the Steelers might look foolish. They’re a run-first team, and without Harris, they will have a void to fill. Jaylen Warren is a good complementary player, but it’s uncertain if he can handle being a feature back.
There’s a good argument to make that Harris has been the Steelers’ best player on offense. Van Noy clearly sees how dangerous he is. The Steelers play the Ravens in only a few short weeks, and it sounds like they aren’t going to let Harris surprise them. Still, if he runs well and helps them win that game, his price tag will only go up. As of now, he’s making himself a lot of money.
