Steelers' Mike Tomlin May Not Have The Complete Control Fans Think After Lost Battle

The Pittsburgh Steelers surprised many when they declined the fifth-year option on running back Najee Harris' contract. The extension would have only cost the team about $6.7 million for 2025, and it is hard to imagine that a solid replacement could be found for less. Head Coach Mike Tomlin has been on the hot seat after another first-round exit from the postseason. One of the biggest criticisms is that he has too much control over the team's personnel. However, a longtime Steelers insider refuted that claim, saying he lost the battle to retain Harris.

Steelers reporter Gerry Dulac from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette recently joined Randy Baumann and the DVE Morning Show on 102.5 WDVE and was asked about Harris. Dulac said that a team claiming to desire a strong run game needs to place more value on their running back. He said that while watching the playoff games, he saw those team's backs quickly get outside and pick up yardage. He said Tomlin sees value in Harris, but was unable to convince the front office to extend him.

"It seems odd that a guy who's only one of 14 in NFL history to have four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons to start their career might not be back," said Dulac. "But I don't see any way they're bringing him back based on the fact that they didn't pick up his option. Could they give him a new contract? Of course, but I don't think that's going to happen. You know Mike Tomlin is a big Najee Harris fan. If he was going to win that battle, he would have won the battle of picking up the fifth-year option. That tells me they're not strongly married to the idea of bringing him back."

Dulac thinks the Steelers will likely retain restricted free agent Jaylen Warren, who has partnered with Harris over the past three seasons. There is little chance, according to Dulac, that the team will attempt to keep both. He added that cost isn't the only reason they chose Warren over Harris, but the former undrafted running back will definitely be less expensive. The Steelers are likely to use either a first or second-round tender on him, costing about $5-7 million, or they can roll the dice and do first right of refusal for about $3 million. 

He also pointed out that they could franchise tag Harris, which would cost nearly $13.5 million or transition tag him for almost $11 million. However, he pointed out that if they were willing to spend that much, they would have just extended him in the first place. 

The Steelers were among the league leaders in rushing attempts during the 2024 season with 533. However, they were closer to the middle of the pack in rushing yards per game with 127.4, whereas the Baltimore Ravens averaged 187.6. The Ravens also led in average rushing yards per attempt with 5.8, with Pittsburgh near the bottom with only 4.1. They will need to find a complementary back who has the speed and ability to get outside. 

Steelers' Run Game Issues Not Entirely The Fault Of Najee Harris

Harris has managed to pull off those 1,000+ yard seasons despite the constant offensive upheaval. When Arthur Smith took over in 2024, the expectations were high, considering the work he did with Derrick Henry when they were with the Tennessee Titans. However, they were rarely able to establish the run effectively despite portraying that as their identity in Pittsburgh.

Former Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch said that Harris and other members of the offense are struggling with a lack of consistent leadership. The team got spoiled having Ben Roethlisberger for so long and remarked that Harris has played with eight different quarterbacks since being drafted. 

Tomlin brought in Russell Wilson in part to provide that leadership, and with the newly rebuilt offensive line, Harris might have a chance to be used appropriately and find success, but it might be too late. 

Are you surprised to hear Tomlin likely lost the battle to keep Harris? Tell us what you think! 

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