A report from January indicated that the Steelers were expected to exercise running back Najee Harris‘ fifth-year option. However, according to multiple reports, the team has chosen not to do so. This decision means that Harris is now on track to become a free agent next offseason.

[RELATED: Fifth-Year Option Tracker]

As is the case with all early draft picks at the running back position, Harris faced high expectations when he joined Pittsburgh. In his rookie season, he earned a Pro Bowl nod by rushing for 1,200 yards and catching 74 passes. Despite a decline in Pittsburgh’s passing game over the past two seasons, Harris’ rushing production has remained consistent.

In 2022, the 26-year-old recorded 1,034 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, slightly improving his performance from the previous season. However, he has maintained these numbers while handling a heavy workload and struggling with efficiency, with a career yards-per-carry average of 3.9 and 978 touches in three years. Concerns about his durability may have influenced the Steelers’ decision, especially considering the market for running backs.

If the Steelers had exercised the option, they would have owed Harris $6.79MM next season. With today’s decision, that option is no longer on the table, but according to ESPN’s Brooke Pryor, the team is open to negotiating a deal to keep him beyond 2024. Harris’ performance this season, alongside Jaylen Warren, will play a significant role in determining his future with the team.

Warren, who had limited playing time as a rookie in 2022, emerged as a key player last season, averaging 5.3 yards per carry and adding 61 receptions for 370 yards. Some are calling for the former UDFA to receive more opportunities in the Steelers’ offense than Harris. It will be intriguing to see how new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith distributes the workload between the two players, especially with the team’s recent investments in the ground game during the draft.

While the decision regarding Harris adds uncertainty to the backfield, a similar situation exists at the quarterback position heading into the 2024 season. The Steelers have also declined to exercise Justin Fields‘ option, making both Fields and projected starter Russell Wilson free agents next offseason. The development of Pittsburgh’s offense and Harris’ role within it will be a storyline to watch closely.