Steelers Decline Najee Harris' Fifth-Year Option, Making Him a Free Agent After Season

The Pittsburgh Steelers have made the surprising decision to decline running back Najee Harris' fifth-year option, making him an unrestricted free agent after the 2023 season. The move comes after Harris' third straight 1,000-yard rushing season with the Steelers, but the team wants to see how he produces in a new offensive scheme under coordinator Arthur Smith.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have made a surprising decision to decline running back Najee Harris' fifth-year option, making him an unrestricted free agent after the 2023 season.

Harris is coming off his third straight 1,000-yard rushing season with the Steelers, totaling 1,035 yards with a career-high eight rushing touchdowns in 17 games. However, the team wants to see how he produces in a new offensive scheme under coordinator Arthur Smith, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Harris has been a workhorse for the Steelers since he was selected 24th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, even with Jaylen Warren taking some playing time away, especially in pass situations last season.

Harris made it to the Pro Bowl after rushing for 1,200 yards on 307 carries with seven touchdowns and 467 receiving yards with three more scores in his rookie campaign. He ran for 1,034 yards on 272 attempts with 10 total touchdowns in 2022.

But the lack of explosion from Matt Canada's offense made Harris' production lackluster. He averaged a career-high 4.1 yards per carry last season after 3.9 and 3.8 in 2021 and 2022, respectively.

Simply put, Harris wasn't busting out big runs, but he would move the line of scrimmage every now and again.

Harris would have made $6.7 million if the Steelers decided to pick up his fifth-year option for the 2025 campaign. Instead, he is now in a contract year and will have to prove to the Steelers and the entire league that he is worthy of a new contract.

The Steelers made this decision knowing that Harris could sign elsewhere after the season, but they want to see him perform under new leadership before free agency talk can start.

Harris has been a solid producer for the Steelers, but the team wants to see more from him in the new offense. If he can produce at a high level in 2023, he could earn a big payday in free agency. However, if he struggles, he could find himself on the outside looking in when it comes to a new contract.

Only time will tell what the future holds for Harris, but the Steelers' decision to decline his fifth-year option has certainly made things interesting.