Najee Harris’ weight has been a hot topic since he entered the league in 2021. We’re obsessed with weight as a society, but in the NFL, it’s under even more of a microscope tied directly to on-field performance.
Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell knows just what taking some weight off between his first and second seasons did for him. As a 244-pound rookie in 2013, Bell rushed for 860 yards. After shedding 20 pounds, he put up a 1,361-yard performance and nearly doubled his receptions (45/83), which earned him Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors.
Buy Steelers TicketsBell talked about what Harris could do to improve his game on two separate occasions and both times advised that he lose weight.
“Sometimes it’s just the extra step, that’s all you need to take a run from two yards to about nine — just barely squeeze the hole,” Bell said on a September episode of Not Just Football with Cam Heyward.
“I think he’s a special runner. I think he can see the holes. I even think he knows how to set up runs. Some guys need a hole, some guys really need it, and some guys know how to finesse a run and know how to set it up to make something out of nothing, and he’s so good at that. And I think he can be even better if he’s a little lighter.”
Bell shared a similar sentiment on the Steel Here podcast in May.
A Harris fan, Bell isn’t trying to be critical, only offering words of wisdom based on his successful experience. Perhaps he should heed the advice this offseason, heading into what could be his final season in the Black & Gold. If results follow, it could mean cashing in on a lucrative contract — whether it’s in Pittsburgh or elsewhere.
Should Harris continue around his current 49 yards-per-game average, he’ll finish with a career-low 833.
