Steelers Have Made Decision on Najee Harris’ 2024 Contract Option, GM Khan Says
BALTIMORE, MD – JANUARY 06: Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) runs the ball near the Ravens goal line during the Pittsburgh Steelers versus Baltimore Ravens NFL game at M&T Bank Stadium on January 6, 2024 in Baltimore, MD. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan revealed that the team hasn’t made a decision regarding the fifth-year option of running back Najee Harris just yet.
“We have until the first week in May to make a decision,” Khan explained, per Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk.
The option is worth $6.79 million and must be decided upon by May 2. Harris recorded 1,035 yards and eight touchdowns on 255 rush attempts during the 2023 season.
Harris has surpassed the 1,000-yard threshold in each of his three NFL seasons, although his productivity hasn’t always matched his usage. After making the Pro Bowl as a rookie by averaging 70.6 yards per game, he’s averaged just 60.9 yards each week in two years since. In fact, he owns a career average of just 3.9 yards per carry.
Despite a poor showing against the Buffalo Bills in the Steelers’ playoff loss in the wild card round, Harris ended the 2023 regular season on a high note. From Week 15 through Week 17, he racked up 312 yards and four touchdowns. Pittsburgh won all three games, narrowly making the postseason.
Khan noted that the hiring of new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith will play a role in the team’s choice regarding Harris’ option. Smith previously served as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons from 2021 until he was fired at the end of the 2023 season.
“We have a new offensive coordinator, so that’s gonna play into the decision-making process,” Khan said, via Alper. “We’re having conversations with Arthur.
It’s been great. We’ve been engaging frequently — coach [Mike] Tomlin and Arthur and I — we’ve kind of been talking about the offense and what the vision is for it. And we think very highly of Najee and we’ll make the decision before May 2.”
While he may not be as dominant as many envisioned when he was selected with a first-round pick in 2021, it seems as though the Steelers could still pick up his fifth-year option despite not having made a decision just yet.