Former Steelers HC Mike Tomlin Had Appalling Advice To 2025 Free Agent Najee Harris: "[Don't] Come Back Here"

The Pittsburgh Steelers have an intense search ongoing as the front office and top decision-makers are looking to find the franchise's next head coach. Mike Tomlin made the decision to step down following the team's Wild Card loss to the Houston Texans. While it was quite shocking and turned the page on what was an incredible run, it may have been time for a breakup anyway. The organization will miss his ability to connect with and get the best out of his roster. Overall, as time passes, more and more stories will come out about his leadership.

Back in 2021, the Steelers selected Najee Harris out of the University of Alabama in the first round of the NFL Draft. He rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his four years in the Steel City, but never truly turned out to be that home run of a pick that the team wanted him to be. As a result, his fifth-year option was declined and he signed with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2025 free agency.

During a recent appearance on the Get Got Pod with Marshawn Lynch & Mike Robinson, Pittsburgh's former running back talked about his time with the organization and a very intriguing story came to light. Tomlin specifically told Harris not to pursue returning to play for the Steelers beyond the 2024 campaign. It was one of the main reasons the ball carrier left in free agency.

"We was chopping it up for like 10, 20 minutes about some random stuff," Harris said. "Then, he was like, 'Alright, we gotta talk about business now,' and so I was like, 'Hey man, what's up though?' He said, 'Najee, I always talk to you not as if you are a player, but as if you are my son'... He was like, 'If you was my son, I would tell you not to come back here.' I was like, 'Alright, bet.'"

This is an extremely fascinating story coming from Harris. If Tomlin really wanted him to come back, then it's likely that the organization would have paid Harris enough money to do so. Instead, the former head coach blatantly told his starting running back of four years to go play somewhere else, and that it was essentially for his own good to do so.

While it may come off as a bit blunt and rude on Tomlin's part, Harris made sure to acknowledge that it wasn't that big of a deal. He seemed to understand and appreciate the words of wisdom.

"It wasn't no hard feelings or nothing like that," Harris stated.

Regardless, it seems quite odd that Tomlin would straight up tell a player that he wouldn't want his son playing for the Steelers in 2025. It can be perceived in several different ways, but it sure is an interesting recap from Harris.

Harris' 2025 campaign ended before it even really got started. He tore his Achilles early on and was only playing on a one-year contract. Additionally, he had an obscure injury to his eye in the offseason that reportedly involved fireworks. No one is sure what is next for the ball carrier, but he is going to have to earn his way onto a roster in 2026. One has to wonder if things would have been different if Tomlin never gave him that advice, and welcomed him back to play for the Steelers.

Steelers' New Coach Won't Have As Much Autonomy As Tomlin

After 19 years at the helm, Tomlin could pretty much do whatever he wanted and had a say in nearly every personnel decision that was made. Now, things are going to change a little bit. Whoever the new head coach is, he won't immediately be able to make decisions as he pleases. He certainly won't show up and tell a soon-to-be free agent player to go sign elsewhere.

Do you think that the story from the former Steelers running back is a bit odd? Let us know in the comments below!

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