While almost all eyes are on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback situation, the running back room could look very different in 2025. The Steelers declined RB Najee Harris’ fifth-year option. RB Jaylen Warren is a restricted free agent. Could we see a completely different room next season?
General manager Omar Khan isn’t willing to write off a reunion with Harris just yet, though. He’s going to look at all of his options, including re-signing Harris.
“It’s a good running back class for sure,” said Khan when speaking to the Pittsburgh media ahead of the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. “It’s an exciting group. We haven’t closed the door on Najee. Have had conversations with Dough Henderson, his representative. So all options are on the table.”
Going into a contract year, many people expected a big year from Harris. He did eclipse the 1,000-yard mark for the fourth straight season, an impressive feat. He also averaged four yards a carry in 2024, the second straight season he hit that mark.
But for those people expecting a dominant breakout year, it didn’t come. He had a career-low six rushing touchdowns. He also had his second-lowest yards after contact per carry (2.1) and second-fewest broken tackles (22).
So 2024 wasn’t the statement year for Harris. But while he may not have lived up to the first-round billing, he has proven to be a reliable and consistent running back at the NFL level. And every team, the Steelers included, needs running backs like that. So it makes sense that Khan and the Steelers would be interested in bringing Harris back for 2025.
It just remains to be seen what the financial aspect will look like. The free agent market could play a big role in that. At the moment, it looks like the market will favor Harris more than the Steelers. Kevin Patra of NFL.com certainly thinks Harris will benefit from the weak market.
Whether the Steelers and Omar Khan are the ones who pay up for Najee Harris or not, we don’t know. But Khan is at least interested in finding out.
