Steelers' 5th-Year Decision On Najee Harris Will Reveal Fascinating Insight Into Pittsburgh's Power Dynamics

The Pittsburgh Steelers have made some mistakes in the NFL Draft. Kevin Colbert’s draft classes at the end of his career were absolutely terrible. Somehow, that fact escaped most of Steeler Nation’s attention, and Mike Tomlin has borne the brunt of the blame for the seven-year-plus AFC playoff win drought. The choices of who is on his coaching staff do not absolve Tomlin of accountability. He is a little less responsible than an outraged fan base thinks for the collapse into sustained mediocrity.

The Steelers selected Najee Harris in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. After nearly a decade of watching Ben Roethlisberger move the Steelers up and down the field, only to fall increasingly short of playoff success, the Steelers need a change. Pittsburgh wanted to go back to the future and draft a power back who would carry defenders for four to six yards and play Steelers football.

The move was wildly unpopular with the analytics wing of the NFL. Picking a running back in the first round is, in the kindest terms, frowned upon. On Friday, Ray Fittipaldo from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette joined The Cook and Joe Show on 93.7 The Fan. A decision is coming on the fifth-year option for Harris at the end of the 2023 season, and when asked by Joe Starkey, Fittipaldo had some strong thoughts on the subject.

“Uh, no,” Fittipaldo answered. “As it stands right now, just doing this rapid-fire with you guys. How could you justify paying him when Jaylen Warren, an undrafted free agent, is going to be so much cheaper and likely better as well.”

Harris is in the midst of his third season with the Steelers. All he has done is set the rookie reception record for the Steelers in 2021 and rushed for over 1,000 yards in his first two seasons. The rushing numbers are even more impressive when you consider it was behind the worst offensive line the Steelers have trotted out in the Super Bowl era. Fittipaldo does at least acknowledge the challenges Harris has faced. 

“At this juncture, with the way it’s gone, and the line blocking the way it has, I understand that’s a problem,” Fittipaldo continued. “The way things stand right now, I don’t see how you could pick it up. But things could change.”

There is no denying that Jaylen Warren has been a revelation at running back over two seasons. Despite being a potent weapon with Roethlisberger in his rookie year, Harris has disappeared from the passing game. Warren has an exceptional burst, and the offense is a little less predictable when he is on the field with Kenny Pickett.

Defenses know that when Harris is on the field, the Steelers are going to run, especially if they line up under center. Harris breaks tackles at an elite level, but often, all it nets him is a two-yard gain. According to Pro Football Reference, Harris finished second in the NFL with 30 broken tackles in his rookie season. In 2022, he was seventh in the category with 30 fewer rushes. Harris is once again among the league leaders in broken tackles in 2023.

Ron Cook and Starkey have never been fans of Harris. Cook pointed out the trope that Tomlin has tried to force Harris forward as the team leader. Jerome Bettis was a natural leader who easily slipped into the role in a very different period in NFL history. The third-year running back has suffered in comparison to Bettis and the late great Franco Harris. Neither radio personality has advocated for Harris to get a fifth-year extension, but they both felt Tomlin would intervene and make it happen.

“Mike Tomlin doesn’t make the personnel decisions, though,” Fittipaldo responded.

Steelers' Art Rooney II Subject Of Bizarre Pittsburgh Power Dynamics Theory By Frustrated Mike Florio

This is the crux of a popular Mike Florio theory. Florio, the founder of Pro Football Talk, has often questioned if Art Rooney II quietly pulls the strings in an opaque Steelers power dynamic. He has postulated that Rooney is every bit as involved as Jerry Jones behind the scenes. He is not seeking the limelight like the Dallas Cowboys owner, so it goes under the radar. 

Joe Starkey interrupted Fittipaldo and rephrased the question. He reframed and asked if it came down to Omar Khan wanting to move on and Tomlin wanting to commit, who would get their way?

“That’s an awesome question,” Fittipaldo responded. “Here’s the thing: Mike’s been around much longer. I think Omar has Art’s ear. I would love to be a fly on the wall when that conversation has to be had. If you are asking me one way or another right now, I would say just because Mike has tenure on him. Maybe Mike might get his way in that situation.”

The decision to retain Harris is going to be difficult. Warren has looked more dynamic and can break a run or pass for a big play every time he touches the ball. The question for the front office is if everyone knows how Matt Canada will use Harris when he steps on the field. A run by the third-year running back might be the most predictable thing in the NFL at this point. 

Fittipaldo is correct in pointing out that the Steelers' decision to retain Harris will provide a window into who makes the personnel decisions in Pittsburgh. Harris's fifth-year option won't be definitive proof that Khan or Tomlin is solely in control of personnel decisions. It may, however, reveal that a tie goes to whoever sides with Art Rooney II. Like his father and grandfather, this means that a Rooney, for better or worse, is still making the decision in Pittsburgh. 

What do you think, Steeler Nation? Should the Steelers give Harris a fifth-year option? Please comment below, or on my Twitter/X: @thebubbasq. 

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