Sign In  |  Register  |  About San Anselmo  |  Contact Us

San Anselmo, CA
September 01, 2020 1:33pm
7-Day Forecast | Traffic
  • Search Hotels in San Anselmo

  • CHECK-IN:
  • CHECK-OUT:
  • ROOMS:

Steelers make surprising decision on Najee Harris' future with team

The Pittsburgh Steelers decided they will not be picking up Najee Harris' fifth-year option despite him producing three straight 1,000-yard seasons since entering the league.

The Pittsburgh Steelers surprisingly decided to decline Najee Harris’ fifth-year option Wednesday, which will make him an unrestricted free agent after the season. 

Harris is coming off his third straight 1,000-yard rushing season with the Steelers, totaling 1,035 yards with a career-high eight rushing touchdowns in 17 games. 

But with new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, Pittsburgh wants to see how Harris and other running backs like Jaylen Warren produce in a new scheme, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Still, Harris has been a workhorse for the Steelers since he was selected 24th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, even with Warren taking some playing time away, especially in pass situations last season.

Harris made it to the Pro Bowl after rushing for 1,200 yards on 307 carries with seven touchdowns and 467 receiving yards with three more scores in his rookie campaign. He ran for 1,034 yards on 272 attempts with 10 total touchdowns in 2022. 

STEELERS' NAJEE HARRIS REFLECTS ON NICK SABAN'S RETIREMENT, FINDS SILVER LINING

But the lack of explosion from Matt Canada’s offense made Harris’ production lackluster. He averaged a career-high 4.1 yards per carry last season after 3.9 and 3.8 in 2021 and 2022, respectively. 

Simply put, Harris wasn’t busting out big runs, but he would move the line of scrimmage every now and again. 

Harris would have made $6.7 million if the Steelers decided to pick up his fifth-year option for the 2025 campaign. 

Instead of having that security heading into 2024, Harris is now in a contract year when he’ll have to prove to the Steelers — and the entire league — he’s worthy of a new contract. 

Could another season of solid production lead him to signing elsewhere? The Steelers made this decision knowing that might be the case, but Harris must first perform under new leadership before free agency talk can start. 

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Data & News supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Stock quotes supplied by Barchart
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.
 
 
Copyright © 2010-2020 SanAnselmo.com & California Media Partners, LLC. All rights reserved.