Steelers GM Omar Khan is living in a world where RB Najee Harris is in Pittsburgh beyond 2024
While there are plenty of questions surrounding the future of multiple Pittsburgh Steelers, one of the headliners is RB Najee Harris. Approaching what is now the final year of his rookie deal after Pittsburgh opted to decline his fifth-year option, Harris has yet to speak to the media since the season ended and his future […]
While there are plenty of questions surrounding the future of multiple Pittsburgh Steelers, one of the headliners is RB Najee Harris.
Approaching what is now the final year of his rookie deal after Pittsburgh opted to decline his fifth-year option, Harris has yet to speak to the media since the season ended and his future in Pittsburgh beyond 2024 looks ominous.
But according to GM Omar Khan, Harris could still be a part of the team's plans:
Harris to sign an extension?
"It was a business decision that we had to make by… I think it was May 2nd," Omar Khan told 93.7 The Fan when asked about the decision to decline Harris' option. "But Najee is awesome to have around here. Love Najee as a player and a person. And just because we didn't pick it up, it doesn't exclude us from doing something with Najee for long term. You know, I'd love to say that Najee had a long career in Pittsburgh. He really represents us well on the field and off the field. But it was just one of those things that we had to make a decision on, and we just felt right now that was the right decision for everyone. But I love Najee and would love to have him here long term."
Harris, 26, is the first back in franchise history to start his career with three straight 1000-yard rushing seasons and has been the definition of durability and toughness on an offense that often lacked both.
That likely has him feeling spurned by the situation and whether it's his P.R. team or the Steelers, someone has decided he shouldn't discuss the current state of his contract at this point.
Najee Harris declined an interview request. He said he’ll talk at training camp. He hasn’t spoken to reporters since the end of the season. The Steelers declined his fifth year option last month. -Ray Fittipaldo, Pittsburgh Post Gazette via Twitter/X
If Harris is to sign an extension, it will need to come quickly. Pittsburgh has a history of keeping business separate from play, meaning if there is no deal in place come the start of the season, Najee will hit free agency with no restrictions in 2025. At that point, it's unlikely he's donning the black and gold.
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