Steelers' Najee Harris Slimming Down Could Result In Breakout Season Like Former Elite Running Back

The Pittsburgh Steelers have decided to test their 2021 first round draft pick Najee Harris this season, as they recently decided to decline his fifth-year option worth almost $7 million. Harris and his future with the team has been a big storyline this offseason, and the former Pro Bowler is already catching eyes with the work he has put in so far. It has been reported that Harris has knocked off a few pounds, which would indicate a response in those saying he isn't fast enough to be an elite talent in the NFL. 

After reaching over 1,000 yards in each of his first three seasons with Pittsburgh, Harris may feel underappreciated by the organization in some way. He has shown no signs of frustration towards the team however, and has continued to put his head down and work hard as they gear up for a 2024 season (which of course will have a gauntlet of a stretch in the second half). Even though most Pittsburgh fans would have thought there was no way the Steelers wouldn't pick up his option, the front office did tell Steeler Nation that they wanted to see how Harris would respond in a new Arthur Smith offense. 

During a segment on the North Shore Drive Podcast with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Steelers insider, Brian Batko, he highlighted Harris' playstyle and that his recent weight loss could benefit him a whole ton, just like another former Steelers Pro Bowl running back. 

"It is interesting to me that maybe there is a concerted effort for him to go, what's the famous example here, the Le'Veon Bell route, right? You know, he dropped however many pounds he did and the Steelers kind of nudged him in the direction to do that, to put it lightly. He was one of the best backs in football."

One of the greatest talents we have ever seen in the Black and Gold at the position, Steelers' former running back, Le'Veon Bell (2013-2017) was able to lose around 20 pounds after his rookie season. From 1,259 all purpose yards in his rookie season, to 2,215 all purpose yards in his second season, Bell's weight loss transitioned him into the best back in the entire league. Batko believes Harris could benefit in the same way if he maintains his slight weight loss.

Without question, the playstyles between Harris and Bell are completely different. They don't run the ball the same way, but trimming down would still be beneficial for Harris, even if he is built as a power running back. Through three seasons and a total of 51 games, Harris' longest rush for the Steelers is only 37 yards, which came in Ben Roethlisberger's home finale versus the Cleveland Browns during Harris' rookie year. 

"He's been good, but just imagine if he could take a 40-yarder and rip one of those off and take it to the crib. I mean he'd be one of the best running backs in the NFL, and the Steelers would probably not only be picking up that fifth-year option, they'd be finding a way to keep him here until he's 28, 29, or 30," Batko continued.

Batko and the crew also acknowledged that this will be the first functional offense, hopefully, that Harris will be a part of as a pro. This should give him a better chance to show what he is really made of.

Steelers And Harris Could Already Be Set On Extension

Given such little reaction or bother from Harris regarding the declining of his option, reporters aren't ruling out that the two parties plan on an extension in the near future. Picking up the option would only guarantee Harris being a Steeler for the 2024 and the 2025 seasons, but like Batko mentioned, perhaps Pittsburgh would like to see Harris in the Black and Gold for the next three to five years. 

The possibility of a Harris extension would depend on the outcome of the 2024 season and how Harris plays on the field. If Smith's new offense is a blunder, Harris could be gone this time next year. Harris has shown signs of frustrations when it comes to winning games and playing fluently as a group, and he may have had enough if the Steelers don't end their playoff win drought.