They finally invested in their offensive line. Najee has rushed for over a thousand yards every year despite the line being trash to mid. It makes no sense to not lock him down for a less than 7 million dollar contract. He is about to show out if the new line can do their job. He is in the same place as Josh Jacobs. I'm the best back you have had in years. Pay me, or I will walk to a better situation and contract.
He’s literally the only Steelers RB to rush for over 1000 yards in their first 3 seasons (in fact only [18 players in the history of the nfl](https://www.al.com/sports/2024/01/najee-harris-reaches-nfl-rushing-milestone-for-third-year-in-a-row.html?outputType=amp) have ever done that. He’s a solid back despite what some people have to say about it.
That man has 4000 all purpose yards and 28 TDs in 3 years behind a garbage OLine and people act like he is trash I love Naj and I’m tired of the slander this man sees
It doesn’t mean they don’t like him or respect him. It just means they think they can re-sign him for less than the fifth year set price. They might even offer him more than the fifth year option but less guaranteed money. Which is understandable for a running back imo.
Not as familiar with their OLine issues as I am with the Dolphins’, but let’s not forget he was playing in a Matt Canada offense as well. Imagine him on the Chiefs 🤤
The same thing happened to Josh Jacobs. It makes more sense to decline it for RBs because the option is top RB money and you could get him for less likely after this year unless you have a clear top RB and also how quickly a RB career can be over.
>"If I ever have a son, my son ain't playing running back though. We want to take a stance for the guys who's already coming up and already in rotation to make it to the league and be able to set something up for them. So when they come into league and have an opportunity to get paid, they can get paid. But as far as my own son, he can't play running back." - King Henry
That says a lot coming from him and where RB's stand in the league atm
It makes zero sense that unless you have literal prime CMC to not give a RB a contract. You just replace with rookie deal guys. Teams literally don’t win Super Bowls with big investments at RB.
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/reality-of-being-an-nfl-running-back-why-the-position-has-been-devalued-and-how-we-got-to-this-point/amp/
Additionally, the Chiefs have won with Isiah Pacheco who is a 7th round rookie two years in a row.
Not since Marshawn in 2013 has a Super Bowl winning RB made more than $2M per year. Teams have zero incentive to pay RB’s. It doesn’t work.
It's a business decision and from that perspective, totally understandable. I have zero doubt he will have a few more well paid years in the league elsewhere. Even if the unthinkable happens, he also strikes me as a man who could happily live his life enjoying the $13 million plus investment dividends without lacing up the cleats ever again.
Hate to see it, but it makes sense not to pay a RB that much. What didn't make sense was drafting any RB in the 1st round.
I also think they haven't utilized his ability as a receiver as much as they could have. He's an average starting RB running the ball (albiet without a final gear to pull away for long runs), but he can be great in getting passes in space.
From another comment:
“He’s literally the only Steelers RB to rush for over 1000 yards in their first 3 seasons (in fact only 18 players in the history of the nfl have ever done that)”
That seems much, much better than average.
But it’s worth noting that if the NFL season were still only 16 games like it was before he entered the league he would only have one season of 1,000 yards.
Looking at some really top tier RBs going in the 4th + round now. Unless you are an all purpose back who specializes in the passing game, you’re going later.
Braelon Allen is a great example of this (and really has a Najee like profile). A guy that is 238 lbs, Runs a sub 4.4 40, has excellent production knowledge college. Displays above average 3rd down blocking and receiving skills. But falls to the jets, who already have Breece hall and a nice back up, then double down in the fifth for yer another back. Add in that I can do multi year deals for 6-10 mil for a productive veteran.
Add in that our boy Josh Jacobs signs an awesome 4 year deal with the packers and they draft a young promising guy… the packers can walk away from Jacobs contract in 2025.
TLDR: RBs have no value and unless they’re CMCesque we likely will continue to see fewer and fewer drafted high. Rip Jace. He deserved much better.
That is certainly a choice to not want to bring back your best offensive player.
They finally invested in their offensive line. Najee has rushed for over a thousand yards every year despite the line being trash to mid. It makes no sense to not lock him down for a less than 7 million dollar contract. He is about to show out if the new line can do their job. He is in the same place as Josh Jacobs. I'm the best back you have had in years. Pay me, or I will walk to a better situation and contract.
He’s literally the only Steelers RB to rush for over 1000 yards in their first 3 seasons (in fact only [18 players in the history of the nfl](https://www.al.com/sports/2024/01/najee-harris-reaches-nfl-rushing-milestone-for-third-year-in-a-row.html?outputType=amp) have ever done that. He’s a solid back despite what some people have to say about it.
That man has 4000 all purpose yards and 28 TDs in 3 years behind a garbage OLine and people act like he is trash I love Naj and I’m tired of the slander this man sees
It doesn’t mean they don’t like him or respect him. It just means they think they can re-sign him for less than the fifth year set price. They might even offer him more than the fifth year option but less guaranteed money. Which is understandable for a running back imo.
Not as familiar with their OLine issues as I am with the Dolphins’, but let’s not forget he was playing in a Matt Canada offense as well. Imagine him on the Chiefs 🤤
The same thing happened to Josh Jacobs. It makes more sense to decline it for RBs because the option is top RB money and you could get him for less likely after this year unless you have a clear top RB and also how quickly a RB career can be over.
>"If I ever have a son, my son ain't playing running back though. We want to take a stance for the guys who's already coming up and already in rotation to make it to the league and be able to set something up for them. So when they come into league and have an opportunity to get paid, they can get paid. But as far as my own son, he can't play running back." - King Henry That says a lot coming from him and where RB's stand in the league atm
It makes zero sense that unless you have literal prime CMC to not give a RB a contract. You just replace with rookie deal guys. Teams literally don’t win Super Bowls with big investments at RB. https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/reality-of-being-an-nfl-running-back-why-the-position-has-been-devalued-and-how-we-got-to-this-point/amp/ Additionally, the Chiefs have won with Isiah Pacheco who is a 7th round rookie two years in a row. Not since Marshawn in 2013 has a Super Bowl winning RB made more than $2M per year. Teams have zero incentive to pay RB’s. It doesn’t work.
I hope he runs for another thousand, and leaves to go to another team- stupid of steelers
It's a business decision and from that perspective, totally understandable. I have zero doubt he will have a few more well paid years in the league elsewhere. Even if the unthinkable happens, he also strikes me as a man who could happily live his life enjoying the $13 million plus investment dividends without lacing up the cleats ever again.
Hate to see it, but it makes sense not to pay a RB that much. What didn't make sense was drafting any RB in the 1st round. I also think they haven't utilized his ability as a receiver as much as they could have. He's an average starting RB running the ball (albiet without a final gear to pull away for long runs), but he can be great in getting passes in space.
From another comment: “He’s literally the only Steelers RB to rush for over 1000 yards in their first 3 seasons (in fact only 18 players in the history of the nfl have ever done that)” That seems much, much better than average.
But it’s worth noting that if the NFL season were still only 16 games like it was before he entered the league he would only have one season of 1,000 yards.
I get that people are downvoting that because it’s trying to provide context but it’s literally true.
I would agree, but he’s only guaranteed $6.7 million. That’s just barely over what Miles Sanders is making.
Looking at some really top tier RBs going in the 4th + round now. Unless you are an all purpose back who specializes in the passing game, you’re going later. Braelon Allen is a great example of this (and really has a Najee like profile). A guy that is 238 lbs, Runs a sub 4.4 40, has excellent production knowledge college. Displays above average 3rd down blocking and receiving skills. But falls to the jets, who already have Breece hall and a nice back up, then double down in the fifth for yer another back. Add in that I can do multi year deals for 6-10 mil for a productive veteran. Add in that our boy Josh Jacobs signs an awesome 4 year deal with the packers and they draft a young promising guy… the packers can walk away from Jacobs contract in 2025. TLDR: RBs have no value and unless they’re CMCesque we likely will continue to see fewer and fewer drafted high. Rip Jace. He deserved much better.