Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris spoke to the media on Wednesday for the first time since the team declined his fifth-year option in the spring. Harris said he wants to remain in Pittsburgh on a long-term basis but noted that it's "a business" and isn't fretting about the future. In three seasons with the Steelers, Harris has exceeded the 1,000-yard rushing mark in each year, but he's averaged 3.9 yards per attempt on 834 carries over his career. The 26-year-old is set to split carries with the more explosive Jaylen Warren in 2024, but new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is likely going to ride Harris in early-down spots and goal-line situations. Harris is shaping up as a solid RB2 bet in the middle rounds fantasy drafts as the starter in a run-centric offense with improved quarterback play.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris, who had his fifth-year option declined by the team last month, attended mandatory minicamp this week but didn't participate at all. Harris also declined every interview request and hasn't done interviews since January. He said he'd talk to the media next month at training camp. Harris isn't believed to be dealing with an injury this offseason, and head coach Mike Tomlin downplayed the fact that the RB didn't take part in minicamp workouts this week. In a contract year now, the 26-year-old has slimmed down as he looks to show out before hitting the free-agent market next March. The former first-rounder will probably never be as productive as he was in his rookie campaign in 2021, but he's been durable and reliable in Pittsburgh's backfield. Jaylen Warren's emergence has capped Harris' fantasy upside, although the Steelers should remain heavily committed to the run in 2024 under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris changed his diet this offseason in an effort to slim down. "He's motivated, to say the least," his offseason trainer Josh Scott said. It makes sense for Harris, who had his fifth-year option declined by the Steelers recently. "It's all fueling his fire to have an even better season than last year and prove a lot of people wrong," Scott said. The former first-rounder in 2021, who is listed at 242 pounds on the team's roster, looks closer to his listed college weight of 230. Harris has been eating a lot of fish and vegetables and has avoided processed foods. "He's looking really, really springy; really, really light off the ground; and more agile," Scott said. Harris averaged less than 4.0 yards per carry in his first two NFL seasons but has gone over 1,000 yards rushing in all three of his campaigns. He had a career-high eight rushing TDs in 2023, but his fantasy ceiling could be capped as an RB2 with Jaylen Warren commanding his share of backfield touches.
Fifth-Year Option On Najee Harris Declined By Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are declining running back Najee Harris' fifth-year option, according to NFL insider Ari Meirov. This is somewhat of a surprise, but the 2021 first-round selection has not lived up to the hype as a prospect or matched his rookie-year production. In 51 games over three seasons, Harris has rushed 834 times for 3,269 yards (3.9 YPC) and 22 touchdowns to go along with 144 receptions for 866 yards and six scores through the air. Picking up the option would've cost the Steelers just $6.79 million, but he is now set to potentially become a free agent next offseason. This could put Jaylen Warren in the clear RB1 role in 2025, but surely, the team will add to the position if they move on from Harris.
Steelers Non-Committal On Najee Harris' Fifth-Year Option
While Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan said that the team thinks "very highly" of running back Najee Harris, he was also non-committal on whether the team will pick up his fifth-year option. Harris' future is thus uncertain despite the fact that he's recorded three straight 1,000-yard seasons while making team history. Harris' fifth-year option, which was set at $6.79 million, must be decided on by May 2. If they pick it up, it would become fully guaranteed for the 2025 season. It would be a surprise if Pittsburgh didn't pick it up, considering they have invested heavily in a ground-and-pound offensive rushing attack and just hired Arthur Smith as their new offensive coordinator. The 25-year-old would figure to have a solid fantasy floor if he sticks with the Steelers, although Jaylen Warren will continue to be a thorn in his upside.
Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren To Be Integral Part Of Offense
With the Pittsburgh Steelers hiring former Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith as their new offensive coordinator on Tuesday, it signals that they are committed to being a run-first team, which is good news for the fantasy stock of both running backs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. Smith underwhelmed in three years in Atlanta, but his body of work in the NFL shows he's well-positioned to utilize a roster that has a potentially dominant RB tandem, especially if paired with an above-average offensive line and serviceable quarterback. Smith's offenses in Atlanta and Tennessee consistently had some of the NFL's best rushing attacks. "I think we have two high-performing running backs in Najee and Jaylen and they, along with an improving offensive line, can be the foundation of success going forward," owner Art Rooney II said.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris handled 12 carries for 37 yards and hauled in two of his three targets for 15 yards in a playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills. Harris, who ended the regular season averaging 104 rushing yards over his last three games, was largely shut down by Buffalo's defensive front on Monday. His longest run of the contest went for 10 yards as Pittsburgh was forced to lean on Mason Rudolph and the passing game. Nonetheless, Harris' third professional campaign was his most efficient on the ground. Pittsburgh will need to decide this offseason whether or not to pick up Harris' fifth-year option ahead of the 2024-2025 campaign.
Najee Harris Primed For Big Workload Against Bills
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris closed out the regular season on a high note and will look to carry some positive momentum into a wild-card showdown with the Buffalo Bills. The 25-year-old missed practice earlier this week with a knee injury but has since logged multiple full sessions and does not carry a game status heading into the weekend. Although the Bills have been a middle-of-the-pack run defense this season, Harris could be in line for a big day. With weather conditions in Buffalo expected to significantly limit explosive plays for both teams, Pittsburgh will likely lean on its running game with Harris and backfield mate Jaylen Warren. The third-year pro is the preferred fantasy option in this contest and should be viewed as a volume-based RB1.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (knee) was upgraded to a full practice participant on Thursday after not practicing with the team on Wednesday. The Steelers have been holding Harris out early in the week while he manages a knee injury, but the 25-year-old will be active for Sunday's big playoff tilt in Buffalo against the Bills. Bad weather is expected in Buffalo this weekend, which shouldn't come as a big surprise, meaning the Steelers could lean even more heavily on the ground game with Harris and Jaylen Warren. The Bills defense was a middle-of-the-pack matchup for running backs mostly all year, but they've been much tougher in the last five weeks, yielding the fourth-fewest half-PPR fantasy points per game to the position. Regardless, Harris could be a solid DFS value play at his $5,400 price tag in snowy conditions with a heavy workload.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (knee) was listed as a non-participant in practice on Wednesday. Harris has been rested early in the week since Week 14 due to a knee injury, but he hasn't missed any time and has looked the best he has all year heading into the postseason. In the last three games, Harris has 72 rushing attempts for 312 yards (4.33 yards per carry) and four touchdowns, adding five catches for an additional 21 yards. He'll be facing a Buffalo Bills defense on the road that has allowed the fourth-fewest half-PPR points to opposing RBs in the last five weeks, though, and backfield mate Jaylen Warren will continue to take valuable touches away from Harris. It's why he's listed at only $5,400 at DraftKings, which ranks 14th at his position.
