Art Rooney II says Steelers face ‘key decision’ regarding Najee Harris’ future
The Steelers must decide what to do with the contract of Najee Harris, the team’s dynamic running back, with the headline days after the NFL Draft.
Harris, the former first-round draft choice out of Alabama, is headed into the fourth season of his rookie contract. The Steelers need to figure out by May 2 whether to pick up Harris’ fifth year. Back in 2021, Harris signed a four-year contract worth $13.047 million with an option for a fifth season.
So here’s how it breaks down. If the Steelers do decide to keep Harris around for a fifth season, then the team will pay him $6.659 million for 2025. However, if Pittsburgh declines to extend through 2025, then Harris heads into free agency this time next year.
Steelers owner Art Rooney II mentioned Harris Monday when he met with the media to look back at 2023 and talk about expectations for 2024.
“A lot of thought, a lot of analysis goes into making those decisions,” Rooney said, “We’ll be working on that as well as all the other things we have to do in the offseason. But that’ll be a key decision as we get closer to the draft in May.”
Harris became first Steelers back to gain 1,000 in each of his first three seasons
Harris was a bright spot this season for a mostly mundane Steelers offense. He rolled to his third-straight 1,000-yard season, while averaging 4.1 yards per carry, a career-high. His 1,035 yards ranked seventh in the NFL. And he saved his best two games for the final contests of the regular season. Harris gained 112 against the Ravens and 122 against the Seahawks.
Of course, the Steelers also sport Jaylen Warren, the former Oklahoma State star who signed with Pittsburgh in 2022 as an undrafted free agent. Warren gained 784 yards while averaging a powerful 5.26 yards per carry.
“I think we have two high-performing running backs in Najee (Harris) and Jaylen (Warren),” said Rooney. “They, along with an improving offensive line, can be the foundation of success going forward. Certainly, some positives there, that as the season wore on, I think you saw what they can be.”
With all the great running backs in Steelers history, Harris still was able to add his name to the record books. He surpassed 1,000 yards in the regular season finale. And in doing so, he became the first Pittsburgh running back to gain at least 1,000 yards in his first three seasons in the NFL. Of course, he secured 1,000 in the Steelers’ most meaningful game of the year. The win allowed Pittsburgh to earn a wildcard spot.