The Pittsburgh Steelers have several big contract decisions to make this offseason. None will be bigger than the decision the front office has to make about whether or not to pick up the fifth-year option on running back Najee Harris.
Harris was the Steelers first-round pick in 2021 out of the University of Alabama. Through his first three seasons, Harris has 3,269 rushing yards, 866 receiving yards and 28 total touchdowns. Harris has topped 1,000 rushing yards every season.
During his final press conference of the season, head coach Mike Tomlin was asked about Harris and the fifth-year option and Tomlin didn’t have to say much for it to seem the team is leaning toward giving Harris the option.
“He’s been what we needed him to be,” Tomlin said. In 2023, Harris became part of a two-headed rushing attack with Jaylen Warren. Will the emergence of Warren hurt Harris’ leverage with the fifth-year option and a new contract?
