The rest of the NFL just told you the Steelers made the right move regarding Najee Harris’ future
When the Pittsburgh Steelers decided to decline Najee Harris' fifth-year option, many were taken aback. A record holder for the best start to a career by any back in franchise history, picking up an option that was less than $7m seemed like a no-brainer. But GM Omar Khan decided against it, and it looks like […]
When the Pittsburgh Steelers decided to decline Najee Harris' fifth-year option, many were taken aback.
A record holder for the best start to a career by any back in franchise history, picking up an option that was less than $7m seemed like a no-brainer.
But GM Omar Khan decided against it, and it looks like the rest of the league would have done the same.
Najee Harris not in NFL personnel members list of top 10 RBs
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN kicked off his annual top 10 positional lists with running backs on Monday. The list(s) is compiled based on the opinions of coaches, front-office members, and scouts. The 10 RBs that made the list were:
- Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
- Breece Hall, New York Jets
- Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns
- Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles
- Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
- Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
- Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers
- Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
- Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens
- Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
To make matters worse, Harris wasn't even mentioned among the group of honorable mentions. There is an argument to be made that the top 10 are all better, or will be better than Harris in 2024, but I don't know about the list of honorable mentions:
- Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings
- Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks
- Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs
- James Cook, Buffalo Bills
- Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
- Joe Mixon, Houston Texans
- D'Andre Swift, Chicago Bears
The NFL just told you that the Steelers made the right decision to let Harris become an unrestricted free agent after this season and that he is at best the 18th overall RB in the league.
Both of those sentiments might be wrong, but the latter certainly is. You could argue that Harris is better than every honorable mention on the list, but players like Aaron Jones weren't even healthy throughout the 2023 season.
So look, Omar Khan has been forthright about the team's love of Najee, even keeping the light on for a potential extension. But that feels a lot like GM speak at this point, especially in light of the contract that Rhamondre Stevenson received from New England, a player that Najee's representation could surely say he is better than.
With the season less than two months away and training camp in two weeks, if a deal is going to happen, it better come quickly, as it looks like Harris will test free agency in 2025.
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