Steelers RB Najee Harris Put On Notice For Training Camp

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris is someone people will be keeping a close eye on during training camp. The team decided to decline the fifth-year option on his rookie contract, making him a free agent in 2025.

A first-round pick out of Alabama in the 2021 NFL Draft, Najee Harris started off hot, making the Pro Bowl as a rookie. But, he has seen his touches go down in the following two seasons as the Steelers have gotten Jaylen Warren involved more.

An argument can be made that Warren is the best option as the lead back for this offense. Has been the more explosive player in recent seasons and has already usurped passing game work from the Alabama product.

With Arthur Smith taking over as offensive coordinator, the Steelers are going to be a run-first team. There will be work for both players, but Najee Harris is facing a lot of pressure in the opinion of Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report.

Sobleski recently put together a piece highlighting recent first-round picks who are at the most risk entering training camp in 2024. Najee Harris, unsurprisingly, made the list because Warren is breathing down his neck to become the No. 1 option in the backfield.

“Through the first seven weeks of last season, the former undrafted free agent averaged 10 touches per game. Over his final 11 appearance, that number rose to 13.5. Warren became a bigger threat in the receiving game, too. He finished second on the squad with 61 snags, while Harris’ production in the pass game dropped to 29 receptions (after providing 74 as a rookie),” Sobleski wrote.

Offensive line woes have certainly contributed to Najee Harris’s sometimes lackluster efficiency. But, Warren hasn’t had nearly as many issues ripping off chunk gains consistently.

As Sobleski noted, Warren has nine carries that have gone for 20+ yards in the last two seasons. Najee Harris has the same amount but has carried the ball 301 more times.

Also a free agent after the season, the Steelers are going to have a decision to make with their backfield. It is hard to envision them paying both running backs, which makes 2024 an audition for the long-term spot as the franchise lead back.

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