Najee Harris is set to be a free agent, and it certainly does not appear he is on track to return to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers declined his fifth-year option, and in a weak running back free-agency crop, Harris is near the top of the options for teams.
One team lurking for a running back could be the Denver Broncos. With Javonte Williams leaving and a lackluster run game in 2024, the Broncos need an infusion of talent at running back. Harris could be that guy
The Broncos haven’t had a 1,000-yard rusher since Phillip Lindsay in 2019.” former NFL running back Maurice Jones-Drew wrote. “Harris, meanwhile, became the third player in the past 20 seasons to hit the 1K mark in each of his first four NFL campaigns (joining Adrian Peterson and Chris Johnson). Sean Payton’s offense has steadily improved over his first two seasons in Denver, and the future looks bright with Bo Nix at quarterback. What’s missing now is a run game. Harris is a physical, downhill rusher who consistently breaks tackles. That’s the type of back Payton (and Nix) would welcome.”
Harris played every single game over those four years, becoming a bastion of health and consistency for the Steelers even through some muddy years they faced. However, his efficiency never followed, but a lot of that was due to scheme and poor offensive line play that never got better over the tenure.
The Steelers declined his fifth-year option in May, citing their questions about Harris’ fit within the offensive scheme that Arthur Smith would be bringing over from Atlanta.
