Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris finished with 1,043 rushing yards to lead the team. It was the fourth time in four seasons Harris has topped 1,000 yards. But in a league where elite running backs are the focal point of their offenses, what Harris is doing could be summed up as very average.

For whatever reason, it appeared to be a foregone conclusion that the Pittsburgh Steelers and Najee Harris would go their separate ways after the 2024 season. While Harris could indeed depart via free agency,

Harris is coming off his best rushing campaign since his rookie year with the Steelers in 2021. He hasn't missed a single game in four seasons, and has proved to be one of the NFL's most durable players. But is he worth the money, when the Steelers have been canned from the playoffs in the first round the last two years?

The Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to let running back Najee Harris walk in NFL free agency, and they could replace him in the draft.

Although Harris could do well on the market, the Steelers are not closing the door on re-signing him before that point. While cautioning no franchise tag is coming to keep the four-year starter off the market, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac pegs the possibility of the Steelers re-signing Harris before free agency as “strong.”

With the sentiment that running backs aren't worth paying quickly eroding, Najee Harris could cash out upon reaching free agency as his rookie contract expires

Spotrac has now projected Harris' contract in free agency, and it comes in as a healthy three years, $27 million. That would make Harris the ninth highest-paid running back in the entire NFL, tied for that spot with New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are likely to have a new starting running back for the first time in four seasons, as Najee Harris is hitting free agency and is not expected to be back in 2025. One NFL analyst believes the Steelers are the most ideal landing spot for another free-agent running back.

The Pittsburgh Steelers will likely be moving on from Najee Harris as they head into next season due to not exercising his fifth-year option last

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a lot of controversy heading into the 2025 offseason regarding the quarterback and wide receiver positions. That's just the beginning, however, when it comes to the offense.