Former Pittsburgh Steelers 1st-round draft pick is back in the NFL after a career-threatening injury in 2025
It’s been a long road for one former Steelers starter, but he’s literally and figuratively put his best foot forward, and he now has a new chance to show he can still play in the National Football League.
Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris is officially back in the NFL. The former first-round pick out of Alabama, after suffering a torn Achilles last season with the Los Angeles Chargers, left many wondering if his career was over. Harris never missed a start in four years with the Steelers, becoming only the second running back in NFL history behind Adrian Peterson to rush for over 1,000 yards and 5 or more touchdowns in each of his first 4 seasons. Coming off a college career at Alabama where he was used heavily en route to a national championship, and now heading into his age-28 season after a torn achilles, the question loomed large: Would he play again?
The answer is yes, and the landing spot makes a lot of sense.
Najee Harris career stats with Steelers
- 4,373 rushing yards
- 28 rushing TDs
- 5,547 yards from scrimmage
Why the New York Giants are a perfect fit
The truth is, this is a perfect fit for Harris in my opinion. Just look at what the New York Giants want to do on offense and at the personnel they’ve assembled in that backfield.
Forget the fact that quarterback Jaxson Dart, who obviously needs to stay out of the medical tent, is a bit of a bruising runner himself. Forget that. Pat Ricard, the longtime Ravens fullback who tips the scales at over 300 pounds, wants to bury people. Cam Skattebo runs his head into walls. I’m not kidding; you can look it up on the internet.
Now you add Najee Harris to that mix. The Giants are going to inflict their will on everybody they play. That’s the identity this offense is building, and Harris fits squarely into it.
What Harris meant to the Steelers
It’s exactly what Harris did during his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and it’s good to see him find a new home. Harris was extremely durable and genuinely valuable for the Steelers. I mean that. Four years without missing a start as a running back in today’s NFL is remarkable.
He wasn’t explosive and wasn’t overly efficient, and Pittsburgh eventually changed up its offensive scheme. He got hurt last year with the Chargers, but now he’s healthy and back in the league. For a player who gave the Steelers everything he had during his time in Pittsburgh, it’s encouraging to see him land somewhere that values what he does best: physical, downhill, will-imposing football.
The Giants wanted to get meaner, and signing Harris is about as on-brand as it gets.
