The Steelers elected not to pick up Najee Harris‘ fifth-year option this offseason, leaving him on track for free agency in 2025. Pittsburgh’s lead back thus faces an uncertain future, but the door is open to an agreement keeping him in Pittsburgh beyond the coming campaign. 
Harris would have been due $6.79MM in 2025 had the option been exercised, something the Steelers were once expected to do. Instead, his play this year will go a long way in determining his value on the open market. When speaking about the decision, general manager Omar Khan confirmed the Alabama product could still find himself in the team’s plans.
“It was a business decision that we had to make,” Khan said during an appearance on 93.7 The Fan (h/t NFL.com). “But Najee’s awesome to have around here. Love Najee as a player and a person. Just because we didn’t pick it up doesn’t exclude us from doing something with Najee long term… We just felt right now that was the right decision for everyone. I love Najee. I’d love to have him here long term.”
The second-year general manager noted last summer that the nature of the modern quarterback market has a dramatic effect on roster-building at other positions. QB prices continue to rise, and running backs are prime candidates to be limited to rookie contract investments from a team perspective. That is the case for both Harris and Jaylen Warren at the moment, and the latter has proven to be an efficient backfield option in two years to date (5.1 yards per carry average vs. Harris’ 3.9).
Pittsburgh has a rather cost-effective QB room for at least one year, but new deals will be needed to keep Russell Wilson and/or Justin Fields in place for 2025 and beyond. Neither passer should be expected to approach the top of the position’s market on a Steelers re-up, but devoting additional cap resources to one or both would limit the funds available to retaining Harris. Running backs in general have struggled to land lucrative multi-year deals in recent years, and it would be interesting to see if team and player pursued a short-term agreement of some kind down the road.
A Harris re-signing would not come as a complete surprise, and Khan’s remarks confirm it will at least be considered. Plenty is still to be determined, of course, and how the Steelers value the running back position with Khan at the helm will be worth watching closely as the 2024 season unfolds leading into a potential Harris departure.
Every GM would love players that are content to play on rookie deals forever. Steelers got an idiot for a GM. Keeping Tomlin was smart but I don’t see Khan lasting too long in Pittsburgh.
At a loss as to how you arrived at this take. He’s drafted well and signed some good free agents. He got rid of guys who had no business being here and malcontents.
I disagree with his handling of Najee but understand it
He and Weidl have been a breath of fresh air in comparison to Colbert, who should have left years ago
Well, considering how important of a role Harris played in their offense last season and all the “love” Kahn says he has for him, he’s only backing it up with lip service.
Not signing Najee to his 5th year deal does not necessarily mean that they don’t value or want him around. We as fans have been trained to think that, if they don’t get signed to that deal, they’re a bust. There can be a middle ground.
There’s goin to be a team in free agency that beats or equals 6.79 mil a year for najee, his decision regarding the 5th year was absolutely baffling, but he’s made a bunch of solid moves
If he makes it to free agency. No reason the Steelers can’t offer him a multi year deal during or right after the season.
I get what you’re saying. I just think Kahn overplayed the “love” bit. Ok, it’s business. But I also think if Harris has another strong year, he’s gonna have competition for his services. And I believe Kahn will have to pay more to keep him if Harris ends up having choices.
I think that Khan’s doing a fantastic job so far. More pertinently, a lot of football analysts and front office types around the league have said that Khan’s doing a great job so far.
As for Harris, the Steelers value RBs more than most other teams. Also, Harris epitomizes the type of team-first attitude that they have been trying to promote while getting rid of those who do not (Chuks, Diontae,Pickett)
I would love to see Najee sign a new deal. The combo of him and Warren can be highly effective, and the team is finally (hopefully) putting an adequate offensive line in front of them, with a competent OC.
Agreed. I liked Najee’s comments last season that first discussed the type of expectations and commitment players like he and Minkah had at Alabama in comparison to what was happening here
A much needed whiff of napalm
And I like the fact that here’s a guy who never pouted during his first two and a half seasons, when he got the ball at the same time opposing D-lines and linebackers were getting him.
I still think the guy is a good back and am looking forward to what he’ll do with a better line, QB and offensive scheme. And I understand the reality of running backs, their salaries and shelf life in today’s NFL. I hope he gets a new deal, too, and think he and Warren make a nice 1-2 punch. Not sure either guy can do it alone
Your take on Kahn is a bit surprising to say the least. I think most Steeler fans would agree he has been tremendous since he got the job.
His comments are strictly being politically correct. They are not going to bad mouth Najee. Every team around the league treats the RB position as a revolving door & Steelers are no different now.
I do feel they would bring back Najee but it’s gonna have to be at their price. And I can’t see him coming back for what they will be willing to pay. There is always a team that feels it’s a RB away from a championship and are willing to spend.
I prefer GMs who just tell it like it is without the double talk and political correctness. Khan appears to looking over his shoulder already.
Tell it like it is???? You mean like the maga politicians who dance around a question whenever asked.
I don’t understand your criticism of Kahn. Hes doing an outstanding job. As far as harris, it was a business decision that all teams do. I’m confident they will sign him long-term. I want to see what he does behind this new offensive line.
Don’t know if you live here in Pittsburgh, but nothing could be further from the truth. I’m taking it that @steelerbravenation is referring to Khan’s ability to talk a lot in press conferences that are very much like public relations and then aggressively doing his job when he writes “…being politically correct”. I took that as meaning Khan is a good company man and plays the part in press conferences. His lauding Pickett for weeks —and especially the day before—dumping him to the Eagles is a classic example
To me, Khan and Weidl brought the Steelers way of drafting and signing guys into the 21st century. Doubt he has anything to worry about here
*I should have expounded on the idea of being a local. I know of no broadcaster or writer who’s questioned Khan’s dealings to date. His “political” style of addressing things gets eye rolls, more than anything else