Do you Extend Najee and Frieirmuth?

I would extend Frieirmuth but I think you have to let Najee walk just do to the nature of the position.

 

I’m the opposite here. I extend Najee and not Frieirmuth just on the eye test alone. Najee has started producing lately whereas Pat has not.

 

No to Frieirmuth... yes to Harris. Muth should have a "prove it" year with a new OC. Steelers have the 5th year option on Harris... and he's in his 4th year in '24.

 

The risk is that running backs fall off a cliff most of the time. I personally wouldn’t extend either unless it’s cheap.

 

No to Harris, nature of position. No to Muth, been a bit of disappointment and often injured.

 

As far as "extending" Harris, the first thing is picking up his 5th year option. It's only $7 million, so to me that's a no brainer. After that, we can talk about extending him.

 

I’m on with extending Najee. I don’t believe Warren puts up the same numbers without Najee. They are are a great combo.

 

No reason to make a new contract for Harris, just pick up his option for next year.

Muth they can wait on to see how he does this year.

 

I here you and I almost said don’t extend either one. However from a team building standpoint it is not prudent to pay RB’s a second contract. They can be had easily in mid rounds in the draft so why pay a second contract especially for a guy who has tread on his tires and with age he could be entering the stage of his career where injuries are more prevalent. With ash said I do like Najee but we have an undrafted FA RB on our team with Jaylen Warren that proves my whole point here.

The thing with Friermuth is TE’s are harder to come by and he has all the talent its just the QB play and scheme have been so bad we haven’t been able to take advantage of it. Maybe the better option is to bring in Jonnu Smith on a one year contract and not sign Frieirmuth and let him play out his last year. If Jonnu does well you can resign him on the cheap the next year.

 

To me, Najee seems to be hitting his stride finally and I think he still has a lot more in the tank to take him to a second contract. Warren has really given this offense a one two punch which definitely benefits both players. Another thing I like about both of them is they seem to be high character players which is particularly hard to find with RB’s and to an extent WR’s in this day and age. That is really the reason I would like for him to get the second contract opportunity. Of coarse this will have to be based on 2024 production though. As for Frieirmuth. I like the guy but his blocking is his weak point along with his thin frame. We need bulkier TE’s to compete in this league and I just don’t think he is that type player.

 

I think Najee and Warren are both great guys too. But the conundrum is justifying putting alot of money into that position when big contracts usually go to LT, QB, WR on offense. Does it hamper you cap wise down the line making that kind of commitment? I was very disappointed in Frieirmuth from blocking standpoint as well. I wouldn’t say he is a thin TE at all. If anything he is built more like a FB as he is shorter and has big thighs. I think he will be a priority however they both probably will as Steelers don’t like to lose high character guys especially ones important to the offensive philopshy.

 

No to Najee, yes to Muth.

Those injuries to Najee's feet are very my concerning.

 

Does a bear in the woods?

 

Well, I think his feet was fine last year.

 

a big RB, that relies on power. I'm not rolling the dice on that one. just my opinion.

 

I would not extend either of them, but I would pick up Harris's fifth-year option. Freiermuth just didn't produce enough as a receiver in 2023 to justify his poor blocking and injury history. I hope Smith can get him more involved, but he hasn't earned the extension.

 

I extend them both.... Muth's production (or lack thereof) is a direct result of our poor qb play and even poorer OC game plan..... when actually used, he has been more than effective....
Najee is finally starting to run hard ...... he's not worth CMC money, but a significant raise should be in the works

 

I’ve stepped in proof of that

 

someone wrote last week "what is the rush in picking up the Yr 5 extension w Najee"

Was that confirmed or answered?

Najee does not get a long term contract if I am GM. 5th yr, probably. But if we give Warren a 4 yr deal, I have news for you all: We can't pay everyone. Najee contract discussions will be a pain in the ass.

Regarding Muth - yes, extend at fair market contract value. No reason to let him leave after this year as a FA.

 

He’s going to want more than market value

He’s going to do something dumb to pretend he’s making a point or stance

They will not get an extension done before the day they have to trigger the 5th year option

Therefore his shenanigans will start the instant they trigger the 5th year option

Bell.2

 

yes - he will be a nuisance.

But Muth - he should get a 2nd deal - I meant Muth for a reasonable market deal. He will oblige.

We agree

 

Dan Patrick was talking about RB position in general this morning, mentioning some great backs in the past who for the most part were talked about as THE guy on a team, even more so than their QB's. While there are several 'in the moment' guys, the position has become plug and play in many situations. I think you have to at least talk contract with Najee, but he and his agent have to be realistic with expectations, there are just to many younger (and older) guys waiting in the wings that can fill a role.

Pat you run several risks, sign him early and you may get a better deal, but the injury history is a concern, wait and if he has a terrific top tier year then you either pay more, Tag him (which costs alot) or lose him.

 

I'd use the option on Najee but not extend him. We can still tag him after his option year if we so decide. Too many RBs are washed up after 5 or 6 years to make a long term commitment.

Muth I'd definitely extend. His decline in 2023 doesn't concern me. He had injury issues while playing with THREE DIFFERENT mediocre QBs and two coordinators in one season. There ain't many TEs that could flourish under those circumstances. Last year lowered his pricetag drastically compared to 1 year ago so we can get him long term for cheap.

 

No on both.