When information broke that the Steelers wouldn’t be choosing up the fifth-year possibility on Najee Harris’ contract, followers had been left attempting to make sense of the choice. However now that the mud has settled and Harris will probably be enjoying for a brand new deal in 2024, it is beginning to really feel like his days in Pittsburgh are numbered.
On Tuesday, former Steeler Chris Hoke mentioned his expectation that Harris will deal with himself in an expert method and use the choice as motivation.
“That is going to be a show-me yr for Najee I am going to let you know what, I hear he has misplaced some weight. I believe he’ll come out and he is gonna show that he is price each penny,” mentioned Hoke to Andrew Fillipponi throughout an look on 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh.
Hoke then addressed any considerations if this might trigger the 26-year-old operating again to insurgent and harm the workforce.
“The fact is that this: Najee’s all the time been a stand-up man,” Hoke mentioned. “Truthfully, a few issues got here out of frustration, however Najee the man, by all accounts, from my standpoint, has all the time been a stand-up man,” he added.
Few will ever argue in opposition to Harris the particular person, however the query for Omar Khan and the remainder of the Steelers’ brass is that if Harris the participant will probably be price a long-term funding. Whereas not choosing up the choice on his contract could have shocked some, it may be defined as merely half of the present mentality relating to operating backs throughout the NFL.
After being drafted by Pittsburgh out of Alabama within the first spherical of the 2021 NFL Draft, Harris has rushed for a complete of three,269 yards on 834 carries. And after coping with some accidents throughout his first two seasons, Harris is coming off the most effective yr of his profession by way of yards per carry (4.1).
Different backs could have accrued extra yards over that timespan, however Harris has confirmed to be a mannequin of consistency when out on the sector. Harris’ Steelers tenure has additionally coincided with a scarcity of consistency alongside the offensive line, one thing that was addressed on this yr’s draft.
But when the Steelers did not need to lock up Harris for a fifth yr, what suggests they provide him a long-term cope with assured cash after the 2024 season? It is attainable Harris might enhance his worth by that time if he is utilized extra in new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s system. The 2 sides might work out a deal at a decrease quantity earlier than this coming season will get underway, however doing so would go away Harris accepting much less cash and imply he’ll forgo testing the open market.
The mindset amongst NFL groups concerning the operating again place is evident: franchises are cautious of investing on the place resulting from restricted profession size and the actual fact groups have received championships and not using a prime again. And signing Harris to a second contract might hamper the power for Pittsburgh to proceed enhancing the remainder of its roster.
