The Pittsburgh Steelers have made major changes on the offensive side of the football. Of course, the biggest change is the fact that four-time league MVP Aaron Rodgers will be the team’s starting quarterback for the 2025 season. The move marks a bold shift in direction for Pittsburgh, signaling that the franchise is ready to make a serious push for a Super Bowl after years of instability at the position.
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Steelers running back Najee Harris gets tackled by two Eagles defenders as the two franchises compete in a regular season football game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA.
Another major change came in the running back room. The Steelers chose not to re-sign former first-round pick Najee Harris after his rookie contract expired, allowing him to walk in free agency. Harris quickly signed with the Los Angeles Chargers, ending a four-year run in Pittsburgh that was filled with both promise and frustration. While the decision raised eyebrows among some fans, the team appears confident in its new backfield setup heading into the season.
Steelers legend and Hall of Fame running back Jerome Bettis recently spoke with Bryan DeArdo of CBS Sports about the loss of Harris. Bettis acknowledged that Harris’ departure is significant, especially given how much the offense relied on him in recent years. However, Bettis also expressed optimism about the fresh look in the running back room, suggesting that a new rotation and Rodgers under center might actually elevate the entire offense in 2025.
"You needed a great running game for sure," Bettis said. "Najee Harris, his development every year, you could see it. You saw him becoming a really, really, really talented running back. So, yeah, the loss is significant, but I do like the Kaleb Johnson draft pick. I'm a fan of his, watched him in Iowa."
Steelers Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith is determined to bring back a physical, ground-and-pound style of football. With Harris in 2024, the running game never fully took off.
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Steelers' Kaleb Johnson with his jersey during his first day in Pittsburgh.
Now, Smith and the Steelers will rely on Jaylen Warren and rookie Kaleb Johnson to form a strong one-two punch in the backfield. Bettis is excited to see how this new duo will perform moving forward.
"Warren, you know what he's capable of," Bettis said. "I think him in the leading role, with a little bit more more opportunity, I think it creates more more electricity, if you will, at the position. I think he and Kaleb are a great one-two punch at that position. So I think that'll kind of bear fruits in the long-term."
While Harris never missed a game in his four seasons and rushed for over 1,000 yards each year, the Steelers chose not to commit more money to him beyond his rookie contract.
This was made clear when they declined his fifth-year option a season earlier. It was unfortunate for Steelers fans not to see Harris fully reach the impact they had hoped for, but his time in Pittsburgh was defined by his work ethic and reliability.
Steelers Enter New Era At Running Back
Now, the Steelers are entering a new era at running back. Warren has shown flashes of brilliance, and his speed brings a new dynamic to the offense. Although he struggled with injuries in 2024, if Warren can stay healthy, he is poised for a breakout season in 2025. Johnson, with his fresh legs and potential, will also be called upon frequently, creating a promising one-two punch.
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Steelers' Jaylen Warren looks on during a regular season home game in Pittsburgh.
To further bolster the backfield, the Steelers added Kenneth Gainwell in free agency. With Warren, Johnson, and Gainwell, the team has built a versatile and exciting running back room ready to support the offense in the upcoming season. Bettis is hopeful about watching this new-look running back room, but also believes the loss of Harris is significant. Steelers fans are excited to see what Smith can do with this new running back system in the 2025 season.
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