The Pittsburgh Steelers selected a running back in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft hoping that he would be a franchise-altering player. Despite his 1,200 rushing yards during his rookie season, Najee Harris out of the University of Alabama was not necessarily effective statistically, averaging just 3.9 yards per carry.
The ball carrier joined Tommy Jaggi of Still Curtain on a podcast recently and was visibly upset at the questions being asked. There is no doubt that fans all over the world have been calling for undrafted rookie, Jaylen Warren to get more touches and maybe even be promoted to be the starting back.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back, Najee Harris (#22) warms up at Acrisure Stadium in a preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks on August 13, 2022 in Pittsburgh, PA. | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
When asked about his lack of production this season, Harris was clearly not a fan of the question and hinted at the fact that it was someone's fault other than his.
“Um… I don’t really know how to answer that one. Maybe it's just trying to get a good feel for everybody, I guess. I don't really call the plays so I can't really control that. Maybe just trying to get everybody the ball, spread it out. Get the ball in other people's hands too maybe," Harris said.
That's how the conversation began, but it turned even worse when the former Pro Bowler was questioned about the Lisfranc injury he suffered in training camp that many people continue to speculate is affecting his quality of play on the field. He was short, sweet, to the point and visibly annoyed.
"No. No. No sir," Harris answered when asked if it is still playing a factor in his production, or lack there of.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back, Najee Harris (#22) looks on during training camp at Saint Vincent College in July 2022. | Photo Credit: Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO
The running back was grilled about his current ineffectiveness and if he has expectations for himself to live up to the hype of being taken by one of the NFL's most storied franchises so early just a year ago. He still believes he was and will prove to be deserving of the 24th overall selection in 2021.
"I mean I'm pretty confident. I know right now I'm still learning. It's only my second year. Hopefully get things together down the road," Harris said.
Harris also believes that the guy gunning for his job in Warren has done a great job so far, but he was very short in his answer about the productivity of his backup thus far.
"I think he came in here and he did good. He made some plays for us and he's doing really good," Harris said.
Steelers running back, Jaylen Warren (#30) warms up prior to a 2022 preseason game at Acrisure Stadium. | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
That wasn't all that the second-year running back said about rookies on the team. After being asked about the quarterback, Kenny Pickett, he didn't necessarily give him a vote of confidence as the long-term option as the signal caller.
"Ya know, I can't really control none of that, what goes on in that situation," Harris said.
Harris went on about Pickett coming in every day and is certainly a leader, but a young ball carrier getting the ball from a potential franchise quarterback should be a bit more confident than simply saying he can't control what goes on.
The hardest part of the podcast to watch was towards the end when Harris was asked what it would take for the Steelers to get back on track in 2022. After confirming that Jaggi was asking about this season, he put his hand near his forehead, gave it a scratch and seemed perplexed.
"Um, man. I think it's going to take a lot of self evaluation as one. I think we did that, too, during this bye week. We're not going to be winning by a lot every game. We're planning on going undefeated the rest of these nine games," Harris said.
Regardless of how anyone feels about Harris, he is clearly upset about what is going on in Pittsburgh. Not just the current 2-6 record, but his underwhelming 3.3 yards per carry combined with the recent comparisons to bust, Trent Richardson. The team already benched one team captain in Mitch Trubisky this season. Harris may be the next if he continues to perform poorly and has a visibly annoyed attitude when discussing the nature of the 2022 Pittsburgh Steelers.
Do you think the comments from Harris prove his frustration with how the season and his play have gone so far in 2022? Let us know in the comments below!
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