The Steelers Are Absolutely Using Excuses To Deflect From Their Real Feelings Towards Najee Harris

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had an extremely successful offseason in 2024, they made a few splashes in free agency, acquired Justin Fields in a trade, and have brought in one of the best draft classes in the league. The only questionable move that has been made by General Manager Omar Khan and his front office was deciding to decline Najee Harris' fifth-year option, which will make him a free agent following the 2024 season. Had the option been picked up, it would have kept Harris in Pittsburgh through 2025.

Most thought that picking up the fifth-year option for Harris was a no-brainer, he has never missed a game in his three seasons in Pittsburgh, and he has eclipsed 1,000 yards in every year of his professional career. Had the option been picked up, Pittsburgh would owe Harris $6.7 million, fully guaranteed, for the 2025 season. Initially, it was reported that the organization was hesitant to pick up the option because of the team transitioning to a new offense under Arthur Smith. 

Brian Batko appeared on 93.7 The Fan Friday morning and shared that he thinks that reasoning is just the organization deflecting from their true feelings towards Harris. 

"I'm kind of buying what the Steelers are saying, but I'm not really buying the 'We need to wait and see how he performs in Arthur Smith's offense excuse', Is he running the flex bone? The triple option? I think it's more about them saying they're not sold after three years, lets see a fourth, and use this transition with a new play caller and offensive coordinator as a little bit of protection for us, they can kind of deflect it in that way. Bottom line is they don't think he's worth nearly $7 million guaranteed in two years." 

Smith's offense is very run-heavy, which was seen during his time with the Tennessee Titans where Derrick Henry had the best years of his career. Harris is expected to be featured heavily, along with Jaylen Warren, whose surprising play could have been a factor in Pittsburgh declining Harris' fifth-year option. 

Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin has always been said to 'love' Harris, but it has been suggested he doesn't feel that way anymore after Harris called out some locker room issues to the media and was very open with the public about what needs to change with how the Steelers operate. Harris was a team captain for the 2022 season, but was stripped of his captainship going into the 2023 season. The Steelers not thinking Harris is worth the guaranteed money in 2025 could be a mixture on on-field play and the way he has acted off the field.

Harris is set up to have his best season yet in Smith's run-heavy offense. He has been running behind a poor offensive line for his entire career, and the Steelers drafted both Troy Fautanu and Zach Frazier who could each start right away. The Steelers line in 2024 has the potential to be the best that Harris has seen in his career, and with a new and proven offensive coordinator he should have a career year. 

Steelers Running Backs Will Both Hit Free Agency Following The 2024 Season

Assuming the Steelers don't intend to extend Harris before the 2024 season, he will be a free agent at the end of the season. He will be able to sign with any NFL team that wants him once free agency opens up if the Steelers and Harris can't agree on a deal during the resigning period once the season concludes. Harris could command a large contract if he has a career year in 2024. 

Warren will be a restricted free agent after the 2024 season, meaning he can sign an offer sheet with any other organization once free agency opens up, but the Steelers will have a chance to match the offer to retain Warren. Pittsburgh could have a real issue at running back now that neither of their star backs are under contract for the 2025 season, and may need to look to draft a running back in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Why do you think the Steelers declined Harris' fifth-year option?