Najee Harris on reducing his workload in sophomore season: 'I am taking time off'

As a rookie, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris finished second in the NFL in carries with 307 in the 2021 season. Looking ahead to 2022, the former Crimson Tide star doesn’t see himself carrying the ball quite as much.

“I am taking time off,” Harris said, via Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “I will not be on the field for certain plays. We’re still going to talk about that, though. I do want to play. A lot. . . . Any time I can. But at the same time, it’s all about being smart. So I understand where [the Steelers] are coming from.”

With 307 carries, Harris rushed for 1,200 yards, which was fourth-most in the league, however, his 3.9 yards per carry ranked 38th. By plugging the talented running back in for better situations versus using him every down, the Steelers will likely improve his overall production. The key is striking the right balance.

Najee Harris’s backup last season, Benny Snell, had just 36 carries for 98 yards. The Steelers also have Anthony McFarland and Trey Edmunds on the roster to mix things up.

On top of his rushing duties, Najee Harris was active in the passing game as well. In his first and only season with Ben Roethlisberger, he caught 74 catches for 467 receiving yards and three touchdowns through the air. His 74 catches led all running backs in the NFL in 2021.

Najee Harris’ Alabama Career

Harris was the top running back selected in the 2021 NFL Draft for a reason.

He racked up 3,843 career rushing yards at Alabama, leaving Tuscaloosa as the school’s all-time leading rusher. Keep in mind, Alabama has had such gifted running backs as Heisman Trophy winners Derrick Henry and Mark Ingram suit up for them. His 4,624 career all-purpose yards rank him second in Alabama football history.

The California native recorded 13 games of 100-plus rushing yards or more in his college career, including six games in his junior season and six games in his senior season. He was the Doak Walker Award winner in 2020, the award given to the nation’s top running back. Harris was also a unanimous first-team All-American selection his senior season, as well.

According to the On3 Consensus Rankings, Harris was the No. 1 overall player in the nation for the 2017 recruiting cycle.