Steelers' Najee Harris On Age Being Critical Factor For RBs In 2023: "Craziest Thing Possible"

The Pittsburgh Steelers are not new to the unique atmosphere that is the current running back market in the NFL. For the last few years, the running back position has been one of the least valued positions in the entire NFL, which is a stark difference from how running backs have been valued throughout the NFL's prestigious history. 

Le'Veon Bell is a prime example of how the current running back market isn't kind to players as they reach their late 20s, and unfortunately, this is the reason why the Steelers and Steeler Nation have experience in this area. Bell sat out the 2018 NFL season after being franchise tagged by the team, and after signing a lucrative deal with the New York Jets the following season, was out of the league in three seasons. 

Steelers Know The Current Running Back Landscape All Too Well

This trend of lack of value for running backs has been evident even this offseason, as Dalvin Cook, who is coming off four consecutive 1,100+ yard seasons and four consecutive pro bowls, was released by the Minnesota Vikings on June 9th. This had several media members, former players and current players raising their eyebrows. If someone with Cook's pedigree and proven success can be cut for cost savings, is anyone safe? 

One player who took notice was none other than Steelers' running back, Najee Harris. 

After the release of Cook, Harris shared some tweets from former players Robert Griffin III and Mark Ingram on his personal Instagram account, which clearly showed he is noticing the trend that is currently happening at the running back position and could jeopardize his livelihood. 

At the Steelers' mandatory minicamp that started this week, Harris was asked about the running back situation in the NFL. Here was his response according to a video uploaded to Steelers.com. 

“To see people like that get released, especially in my position, it’s like, damn, what did they do? Is it because of their age? You know what I mean? Dalvin Cook is coming off of multiple 1,000 yard seasons. What? I don’t know. Is it money from the team? They got to pay somebody? I don’t know. But it’s eye-opening, for sure.”

Cook being released might have just been the "eye-opening" moment that makes Harris realize he could be destined for a similar fate soon. Harris will be 27 by the time his rookie contract ends with the Steelers, which is the same age Cook is currently. 

Even though it appears age is currently a large factor in how teams around the league are determining when it is time to potentially move on from running backs, Harris doesn't believe it is that cut and dry. Earlier in the clip, Harris explained no one knows how their body feels beside them. 

"They say that when you turn a certain age then you're out of your years to be playing, which is crazy. You know what I mean? If you feel like you were able to play still, then who is it for somebody else to say that you can't? Like they don't know your body, neither have they been in your position. They're just people riding behind the internet, they don't really know how you train. They don't know how you take care of your body. It's just people making assumptions, which they don't know nothing about, you know?"

Harris is right. None of us know how his body feels day in and day out, and won't know how well he feels after he spends four years in the NFL as a featured back. By the time Harris hits free agency, he will likely have well over 1,200 career touches. Regardless of age, that is a heavy workload for a player in today's NFL. 

Despite the concerns about his longevity in the league with the ever-changing landscape in the NFL, Harris is focused on doing what he can to prove he is worth sticking around as long as possible. He plans on doing so, by demonstrating the best ability any player can have: availability. 

"I can't stop time. I can't do nothing about that. All I can do is take care of my body and show them that I'm still available. I guess all running backs can do is show them that, the best ability is availability. So, for me, to show that I'm still who I said I was when I first got in, I think that's important. But age, you can't stop that. They just think that when you turn a certain age, it's over with. Which is the craziest thing possible."

One thing is clear. Whether or not the Steelers still have a little PTSD from the Bell situation, they seem committed to Harris as one of the focal points of their offense. If that results in a second contract for Harris to stay in Pittsburgh, only time will tell. 

What do you think of the running back landscape in the NFL? Do you think Harris is justified in his concerns? Let us know in the comments below!

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