When the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Najee Harris with the 24th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, many applauded while others shook their head.

After Najee's rookie year the Steelers looked like geniuses, but throughout much of last season, the skeptics started to show face. 

The Steelers will have big decisions to make after this season when it comes to Harris, so let's dive into what those are, and why this may be the tiebreaking season for the talented back. 

Year three is an important year for any first-round pick for one single reason: the fifth-year option. You see, after three accrued seasons, teams will approach the offseason and have to decide whether or not they want to pick up or decline a player's fifth year option. 

Typically, when a team values the player they pick up the option, making no bones about paying out the guaranteed money and highest APY of the player's rookie deal, with sights set on hammering a long-term extension. 

But if a player leaves a team questioning his potential after three years, they often decline, and force the player to prove they are worth an extension in their fourth year, similar to every other rookie. 

That's where Najee Harris slates in. If his sophomore campaign mimicked his rookie season, this article wouldn't even exist, as it would take a catastrophic year three for Pittsburgh to decline Najee's fifth-year option. 

But last year, whether it be fair or not, seems to have left a bad taste in the mouths of many Steeler fans, with Najee failing to build off his initial year in the league, and looking a step slower than he did in 2021. 

Now context is key here, as Najee dealt with both injury and inconsistency among his run blocking unit early in the year, with the symbiotic relationship that is back and o-line starting to take shape down the stretch. 

Harris dealt with a list franc injury that sidelined him for part of camp and was probably an issue throughout much of last season. These are not excuses, these are reasons and create reason for his fall off from 2021. 

But this season will be different. By all accounts, the injury is behind Harris, and the offensive line will have added two-run blocking upgrades in first-round pick Broderick Jones at tackle and free-agent acquisition Isaac Seumalo at guard. 

Pair this with a quarterback fully engaged in his second year, and a duo of weapons on the perimeter and you can see that the supporting cast will not be an issue for Najee, assuming health. 

That means the buck stops with Harris in 2023 and makes the upcoming season a potential make-or-break year for his future in Pittsburgh. Running backs are already a devalued position in the modern NFL, so undeniable production is a backs only chance at inking an extension. 

So let's hope that Najee fulfills his potential and by this time next year, he's slated to have a minimum of two more years with the Steelers. Either way, this story just adds to the anticipation and storylines of the fall, helping make this one of the more exciting Steeler seasons in recent memory.