The Pittsburgh Steelers realized that the revenue cap jumped substantially for the 2023 offseason, giving them massive flexibility transferring forward. Not only did they study that, however they additionally determined out what Najee Harris’ fifth-year choice will seem to be like, and it’s an cheap one. Harris’ fee tag will come in at $6.790 million seeing that he has no longer made a Pro Bowl straight-up in the eyes of the league. He was chosen to one Pro Bowl, but as an alternate, which does not have an effect on his fifth-year choice charge tag.
Harris, the team’s first-round select in the 2021 NFL Draft, has produced properly in his first three years with the crew despite suboptimal conditions given his offensive line play in front of him. The Steelers have a hard choice this offseason on whether or not to choose up the choice on Harris’ deal for the 2025 season.
Asked about Harris’ future in the course of his season-ending press conference, Mike Tomlin gushed about the overall performance of his huge back.
“Man, he’s been what we wanted him to be,” Tomlin said. “I study a stat, I suppose you know, he’s 1,000-yard rusher three straight years and how scarce that is. And I just suppose that speaks to his consistency, availability. He’s been clearly solid.”
As Tomlin notes, Harris grew to be the first player in Steelers history to run for 1,000 or greater yards in every of the first three seasons of his career. He had the satisfactory season of his profession in terms of yards per carry in 2023. Harris rushed 255 instances for 1,035 yards — a 4.1 yards per elevate common — and he scored eight touchdowns. Harris had rushed for 3.9 and 3.8 yards per elevate one each of his first two seasons.
Second-year lower back Jaylen Warren ran for 5.3 yards per carry, one of the fine figures in the league in 2023. He ran 149 times for 784 yards and 4 touchdowns. He was once also more concerned in the passing game, catching 61 passes for 370 yards compared to 29 receptions for 170 yards for Harris. It appears like Arthur Smith will prefer to hold these two together. Harris’ fifth-year alternative selection need to be submitted through May 2nd, but it is expected they will choose it up.
