Najee Harris is one of several high-profile running backs who has publicly aired his grievances with the downward trend of the position’s market. Conversations amongst the league’s top backs have been aimed at finding a solution to the growing trend of teams avoiding lucrative commitments on second contracts, something which will become a key topic of conversation in Pittsburgh as early as next offseason. 
Having been drafted in 2021, Harris is entering the all-important third year of his rookie contract this season. He will be eligible for an extension after the campaign, but, as a former first-rounder, the team will be able to keep him on the books through 2025 via the fifth-year option. Committing to Harris over the long-term would be complicated by the cost of extending franchise quarterbacks, however.
“You don’t have to be a mathematician to figure it out, but when quarterbacks’ salaries start increasing at the rate that they’re increasing, at some point, it’s going to have a residual effect somewhere on the roster,” GM Omar Khan said, via Tim Benz of triblive.com.
“Every franchise is going to handle things differently. It’s up to every franchise to decide how to build their roster, but eventually, that’s going to have an effect when the quarterback salaries are growing at a rate higher than what the cap is,” he added. “There are ways to get around whatever the cap number is, but it’s just going to be a natural effect.”
Indeed, surging prices for young quarterbacks have caused teams to find cost-effective players at other positions, and running backs are a natural target given their attrition rate. Workhorse backs are under threat of seeing a short shelf life in the NFL, something which is particularly of note in Harris’ case. The Alabama product leads the NFL in both carries (579) and touches (694) over the course of his two-year career.
He has been able to total 2,930 scrimmage yards and 20 touchdowns so far, but efficiency (3.9 yards per carry average) has been a concern. Those figures will play a large role in determining Khan’s willingness to extend Harris, 25, when the time comes, and the depressed nature of the market would lend itself to the team having plenty of leverage during contract talks. With plenty of time remaining before those need to begin, though, player and club are proceeding with the status quo ahead of 2023.
Khan noted that he has not discussed any hypothetical extension with Harris, while praising the latter for his on- and off-the-field contributions in his young career. How interested the Steelers become in committing to a multi-year deal sometime down the road will certainly be worth watching, however.
Lev Bell summed up the point perfectly recently.
“Daniel Jones, he’s in the bottom tier. He’s in the bottom tier of NFL quarterbacks,” Bell said on the AP Pro Football podcast with Rob Maaddi. “He’s not mediocre. There are average quarterbacks, he’s in the bottom tier.”
But Danny ‘Dimes’ got paid!
Not sure why anyone would want a dope like Bell on their podcast. He turned down big bucks with the Steelers to work at Dairy Queen so he’s not the sharpest knife in the drawer.
True, but Jones is a bottom tier QB. No idea why the Giants re-signed him.
I think Jones is better than he once was but it seems obvious that he’ll be made the fall guy by the GM and HC if the Giants don’t continue to improve.
To me, that should make the HC & GM the fall guys. They re-upped him after all. But I’m just an old fan that types messages. Certainly not qualified to be a GM/HC! At least for a winning organization.
well said Omar
The Steelers certainly do like to squeeze the juice out of their lead back. First Leveon Bell and now Najee Harris lead the NFL in touches. First round running backs might start refuse to report to the Steelers. 1. You are run into the ground. 2. You don’t get paid.
do you know who the Pittsburgh Steelers are and their history of running the ball and smash mouth football?
it’s an honor to get drafted as the Steelers franchise back.
No, it’s a death sentence. Najee Harris is right to want out or to be paid.
You can’t lump Najee in with other Steelers backs. On one hand, it’s somewhat surprising he wasn’t killed in his rookie season, when he, the ball and the opponent’s defensive line often met at the same time in the Steelers backfield. And truthfully, it was about the same during the first half of last season until they finished against middling defenses and the O-line improved somewhat
And secondly, there can’t be a more un-creative OC in the NFL than Matt Canada. Even Pop Warner coaches know that there is no reason to keep running your backfield into defensive lines that quickly destroy the idea. And yet, this has been the modus operandi
I watched Najee at Alabama. You’d think your OC would see fit to do more to bust him to the outside. Instead, we have had the same hardheadedness for two years and if Tomlin’s sound bytes are any indication, I’m not sure we’re going to see big changes this year
So it’s the QB, and agent, that’s at fault? Watson being the ‘root’ that this misery grew to its current level?
I’d offer it’s the stupidity of the money managers that always lack budgeting acumen – like the Dallas Jones team or the Rams or Miami or Denver any of the billionaires that have no concept of ‘budgets’!
well there is a salary cap ,
and RBs are disposable and proven to fade significantly after age 27
Sorry, i thought the pay was based on value to a team , not RBs feelings
Don’t think I mentioned feelings.
When you’re paid to play a ‘game’ feelings mean squat.
they get paid for playing..
they want paid for when they’re not going to play later in their career
sorry , I just didn’t see any RBs standing up for their FBs when those went extinct.
likewise the RB making big money past 28 is extinct.
boo hoo, you want more than 2 mil to be a goal line back later in your career.
also you listed Jerry Jones as if he wasn’t the guy who learned this lesson the very hard way with Marion Barber
Jerry has over paid some player every year AND the only RB I think deserves more is Austin Ekeler
Ekeler is 28 and if he has a great year will get 10 mil next year on the tag.
if not, he’ll prove the 28 year old theory correct and be paid accordingly.
I don’t see why anyone would want to pay a premium for him age 29-31 on a longterm deal when he’d naturally become a situational back , not having the burst of a mid-20s back.
reason I bring up feelings is because I see no logic
Based on production within the offense, running, receiving and TD. Granted with new OC could be his production might take a hit with new receivers except injuries might keep the touches consistent. Haven’t seen other RB, on Chargers, step up near AK production. Team will likely let him walk after this season because of his trade request, RB ‘group value’ organizing and age.
Najee, Jalen Warren and Anthony MacFarland are the top three running backs on the Steelers roster right now. A lot can change in a year but if that’s still the case by next April for the draft they will pick a RB. Whether they take a late round guy to push for MacFarlands spot or get one early to be Najee’s successor will show the front office’s plan.