3 running backs who will be the next Saquon Barkley with contract disputes
By Scott Rogust
3 running backs who will be the next Saquon Barkley with contract disputes, No. 2: Najee Harris, Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers had a desperate need for a running back entering the 2021 league year. Like many teams, they decided to draft one. But for Pittsburgh, they used a first-round pick (24th overall) on Alabama’s Najee Harris. That season, Harris was the undisputed best running back in college football, rushing for 1,466 yards and 26 touchdowns on 251 carries.
Harris has lived up to the hype for the Steelers for the most part. In each of his first two seasons in Pittsburgh, Harris recorded over 1,000 rushing yards on the ground. However, he averaged just below 4.0 yards per carry each season (3.9 in 2021, 3.8 in 2022). But, that can be attributed to the effectiveness of Pittsburgh’s offensive line and the play-calling by coordinator Matt Canada.
Overall in his first two NFL seasons, Harris recorded 2,234 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns on 579 carries (3.9 yards per carry) while catching 115 passes for 696 yards and six touchdowns on 147 targets.
Harris has the chance to really up his production, considering the additions the Steelers front office has made along the offensive line (rookie offensive tackle Broderick Jones, Philadelphia Eagles guard Isaac Seumalo). But, he officially becomes a free agent after the 2025 season at the soonest (if the Steelers exercise his fifth-year option.