Steelers Pro Bowler "runs the risk" of not being in Pittsburgh's future

The Pittsburgh Steelers can no longer afford to be sub-par on offense.  The defense is too good, the skill positions are too talented, and the QB has already experienced his growing pains.  But if Bill Barnwell of ESPN is right, one of the key players in that mix had better show up, or else he […]

Rob Gregson — NFL News Writer
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ESPN names Steelers RB Najee Harris as a player under most pressure in 2023

The Pittsburgh Steelers can no longer afford to be sub-par on offense. 

The defense is too good, the skill positions are too talented, and the QB has already experienced his growing pains. 

But if Bill Barnwell of ESPN is right, one of the key players in that mix had better show up, or else he may be shipped out:

ESPN Names Najee Harris as a RB Under Most Pressure in 2023

© Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

Despite having back to back 1000 yard rushing seasons to start his career, Steelers Pro Bowler Najee Harris has found himself on Bill Barnwell's list of NFL personnel and players under the most pressure in 2023:

Harris hasn’t been an efficient back during his first two seasons in Pittsburgh. He has stayed healthy and absorbed a large workload, which are valuable skills, but he hasn’t been the sort of difference-maker a team hopes to land when it drafts a running back in Round 1. Whether it’s traditional metrics (3.9 yards per carry) or advanced ones (a league-worst minus-197 rush yards over expectation over the past two seasons), Harris has been a throwback in the wrong sort of way.-Barnwell

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Now to be clear, Harris was drafted to be a throwback. His frame and downhill running style were the exact reasons that Pittsburgh took him in the first round. The Steelers certainly follow a traditionist mantra when it comes to player evaluation, but it's worked for the past two decades has it not?

Pittsburgh’s line wasn’t great, but undrafted backup Jaylen Warren was far more efficient by rush yards over expectation behind the same five blockers, and the Steelers rebuilt the left side of their line this offseason by adding Broderick Jones and Isaac Seumalo. If Harris doesn’t take a leap forward in 2023, he’s going to run the risk of having his fifth-year option declined.-Barnwell

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And while that would be a bad look given the draft capital allocated to select Harris, Pittsburgh declining his fifth-year option is far from off the table, if for no other reason than the state of the RB market. 

Let's say Harris continues to churn out yards and reaches another 1000-yard season. While that would be notable, it would only add to his wear and tear, making him potentially expendable given how much his fifth year would cost, and the fungibility of the position. 

So it seems that Harris (like many backs across the league) is in a darned-if-you-do, darned-if-you-don't scenario. Either way, Steelers fans have at least another two years of prime Harris, something that shouldn't be discounted. 

Featured image via: © Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

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