It’s wild to think about, but Saturday’s game against the Ravens might be the last time Najee Harris suits up in black and gold. Yeah, that Najee—the guy who’s been a cornerstone of the Pittsburgh offense since he arrived in 2021. He’s entering his 71st game with the team this weekend, and it’s not just any game—it’s a wild-card playoff matchup. The stakes couldn’t be higher, both for the team and for Harris.
Here’s the deal: The Steelers declined Harris’ fifth-year option earlier this year. That’s football speak for, “We’re not ready to commit, but let’s see how this plays out.” Translation: Harris is headed for free agency in 2025 unless something dramatic changes. And he knows it.
“Compartmentalizing (those feelings) is not hard,” Harris told reporters on Thursday. But then, in typical Najee fashion, he dropped some wisdom that made everyone pause: “You realize the situation, what it is. And (come) the offseason, whenever it is, whatever happens after this season … all you can do is see what happens next.”
Four Seasons, Four Thousand-Yard Campaigns
Harris has been Mr. Consistent for Pittsburgh. Four seasons, four thousand-yard campaigns. He’s one of only three players in the past 20 years to achieve that, joining elite company in Adrian Peterson and Chris Johnson. But here’s the kicker—his career average sits at 3.9 yards per carry. Solid, but not jaw-dropping.
And let’s be real: The NFL isn’t exactly a sentimental place. Teams are looking at metrics like his lack of breakaway runs (not one 40-plus yarder in his career) and comparing him to Jaylen Warren, who’s been outshining Harris in terms of explosiveness. Warren averages a run of 10-plus yards nearly twice as often as Harris, which has to sting a little if you’re Najee.
But Harris isn’t wallowing in what-ifs or playing the blame game. “Would you want to change stuff? Yeah. Would you want to have done better at some things? Yeah,” he admitted. “But sometimes people are put in certain situations, and you have to make the best of it.”
No Playoff Wins, No Regrets?
Here’s the part that’s gotta eat at Harris: He’s never won a playoff game. Not one. The Steelers have gone 0-2 in postseason action since he joined the team. If this really is his last playoff run with Pittsburgh, you better believe he wants to go out on a high note.
“You can’t lose sight of the fact that that’s the main goal at the end of the day,” Harris said. “Yeah, you want to have good (individual stats) and everything, but, at the end of the day, it’s about the team win. If the team wins, everybody eats. If the team doesn’t win, it really doesn’t matter.”
Classic Najee—team-first to the end.
The Road Ahead
Let’s not sugarcoat it: The Steelers’ decision to pass on Harris’ fifth-year option sent a loud message. They’re thinking about life after Najee, and Harris knows it. The market for running backs isn’t what it used to be, but Harris’ resume—four straight 1,000-yard seasons, durability (he’s never missed a game), and leadership—should keep him in demand.
As for Saturday’s showdown with the Ravens, Harris isn’t looking for a fairytale ending. “Soak it in? Shoot, man, this is a business,” he said bluntly. “This is a production business, obviously. All you can do is … make the best of your opportunities.”
For Harris, that means helping his team get a playoff win—maybe his first, maybe his last as a Steeler. It’s a bittersweet reality, but one he seems at peace with. Whatever happens, Harris has left his mark on Pittsburgh football. Now, it’s time to see if he can leave one last exclamation point.
PS: If you’re watching Saturday night, don’t blink. This could be history in the making. Or, you know, just another wild Steelers game. Either way, grab your snacks.
PPS: I’m not crying, you’re crying. Okay, maybe I’m crying a little. Just saying, Najee’s a dude worth rooting for.