When Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris arrived at Latrobe for training camp, he did his best to address the current tension between him and the team in regards to the team not picking up his fifth-year option and if he will get a new contract or head off into free agency in 2025.
General Manger Omar Khan spoke at Steelers training camp and did his level best to remain optimistic about what is shaping up to be a very awkward situation.
“We think the world of Najee,” Khan said. “Just because that option wasn’t exercised doesn’t mean that he doesn’t have a future here…he’s a great football player. He’s great to have in the building. I still see a future with Najee.”
The Steelers saw enough in Harris to select him in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft and hand him the starting running back job from the jump. While Harris hasn’t been elite during his tenure with Pittsburgh, he has topped 1,000 rushing yards in each of his first three seasons.
Much like with the wide receiver position, the Steelers front office seems to be very quiet about any sort of contract extensions, Harris included. The team appears to be doing its due diligence with pending offensive free agents like Harris and tight end Pat Friermuth at the team integrates a brand-new offense.