Najee’s 5th will cost 7 million

With how easy it is to find a RB in the 3rd round, I would pass.

 

He already started complaining with two years left on his rookie deal, which to me is a strong indication that he will whine as we get deeper into the process and he may at least threaten to hold out either this training camp or next. Harris is a huge part of the plan for 2024. The Steelers have been building to be a run-oriented offense, including the guys they added on the offensive line and Washington at tight end. Warren is great in his role, but Harris is the workhorse. He protects the ball better, he is more physical, and he can play in bad weather. He's also a smart guy. He knows this. He knows his value and he knows the Steelers are unlikely to pay him big money.

 

He’s a smart guy and he doesn’t seem to have a huge ego thats why I believe he won’t need to be paid the highest ay his position. I think he will look at this and say he wants fair compensation but he also recognizes he is in a good spot with our system catering to his strengths. I think they will get something done.

In addition his talents don’t necessarily transcend well to other systems and I think he is smart enough to realize that. It doesn’t always work out for backs when they change teams. Hopefully both he and the Steelers are practical about this.

 

He ranks 7th in the league last year running behind an incompetent OL and a Matt Canada playbook. All while sharing workload with Warren. The guy is very good. Let’s see how much better he can be this year and next

 

Who are you seeing in the 3rd round that could come in and immediately replace Najee?

 

I'm starting to grow concerned that the Steelers aren't going to exercise Harris's fifth-year option. I think that would be a terrible decision. They can lock him in for one more season at a reasonable price, then let him walk.

 

if it happens, it happens

I won't lose sleep over it, if it doesn't

i still think it is a reasonable price, but they might not see it that way.

 

Tuesday at 10:30 am. Any word on if they are exercising the option? Only about 5 or 6 players the decision hasn't been made on.

 

seems the FO Brass might be 50/50 on this too.

I guess......we....will.....see!!

 

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ - ALL Quiet On The Western Front....

 

I think Warren’s contract is up next year as well. The issue here is the Steelers may not want to tie up alot of money in that position when you can typically get good value in mid round draft picks at a cheaper price. Perhaps they feel Warren will be the better back to put money into and they will draft a bigger back to go along with Warren next year.

 

The deadline is today. I think they are going to decline the option, which just makes no sense to me.

 

Look at this year's draft and tell me who the Steelers could have picked up in the 3rd or 4th round that could have replaced Najee this year.

The Draft even for RBs in the midround is still a crap shoot. Najee was a 1st round pick, and the Steelers will need to use another 1st round pick to replace him.

It doesn't add up Najee's 5th year option is $6.8 million; The RB Franchise Tag this year is $11.95. Not sure why the Steelers would want to have to use the Franchise Tag next year on Najee.

 

I’m not saying I necssarily agree with them if they don’t extend him but its more about how the NFL views RB’s these days. I agree with you though its crazy $6.8 million is relatively cheap. Not to mention they could actually clear another 8 million this year if they cut Holcomb and Nate Herbig. Not saying they should just throwing that out there. Also you can’t dismiss the fact that Warrens contract comes due next year so does that or doesn’t play into extending Najee. I actually think it would make the Steelers lean more into extending Najee so they for sure have one of them next year. The more I think about this as I write it I can’t see how they don’t extend Najee. Tomlin loves the guy and they have a boat load of money in cap space next year. With their focus on the run game it just makes too much sense. But crazier things have happened and we aren’t privy to what happens behind the scenes or why things play out the way they do.

 

Warren FOR sure gets a nice 4 yr deal before camp - that is a BIG no brainer

 

I agree with most of this except the claim that they would have to use a first-round pick to replace him just because he was taken in the first round. That simply isn't true.

 

does not make a lot of sense to me either, other than what many have said here.

Warren will get a nice extension, Najee is getting banged up a bit - but we will get another year from him this season.

IF he has a killer year, we can discuss the FTag for him.

but I'd give the 5th yr option, I am with you

 

The franchise tag would be much more expensive. This just seems like the team is about to make a costly unforced error.

 

Steelers declined the fifth-year option on RB Najee Harris, giving him the ability to become an unrestricted free agent after this season.
Steelers are not ruling out a deal later on.

 

Per 93.7 Steelers have declined option

 

So stupid.

 

Word on the street is Harris wants to play closer to home and that would be California.

 

All the more reason to hold on to him while they don’t have to negotiate.

 

Oof Kevin... oof.

 

I honestly did not see that coming. Najee was 24 when he was drafted, meaning a 2nd contract was not something I expected either. I thought the option was a sure way yo keep him, and possibly extend a couple of years. Business is business and few RB's that have signed huge 2nd contracts have worked out.