The Pittsburgh Steelers named the team captains this week for the 2022 season. Najee Harris was selected by his teammates as an offensive captain along with quarterback Mitch Trubisky. The second-year running back from Alabama was identified by Mike Tomlin in the offseason as a team leader and the current crop of Steelers agreed with the coach and elected him for the position.
Credit: Jordan Schofield/Steeler Nation (Twitter: JSKO_Photo)
“There’s a lot of times where I’ve been put in the spotlight just to make plays for teams,” Harris said. “Here I’m really putting the spotlight to be a leader, that’s carrying myself, being early to stuff. The coaches here they taught me how to become that person.”
Harris has faced adversity in his real life and football career. As a youth he was homeless for a period of time, so he shied away from leadership roles on his high school team. He was called the worst first-round draft pick in 2021 by Pro Football Focus despite finishing in the top five in the NFL in rushing yards. He also broke both the Steelers rookie rushing record, held by some old guy named Franco Harris and the rookie record for receptions. Harris has a natural charisma and the media, fans and teammates gravitate toward his energy. He was asked what Coach T told him about the position in the locker room.
“He said just be yourself,” Harris related. “Being yourself is good enough and then along the way all the other stuff will come with it. But as of now just be yourself and that is what I’m doing.”
Antioch High School star running back Najee Harris vaults over Falcon defender Jared Rodgers, 22 as the Panthers take on Freedom High School on Fri. Oct 7, 2016, in Oakley, California. Credit: Michael Macor / The Chronicle 2016
During his high school and collegiate career at Antioch High School and the Alabama Crimson Tide, Harris made several wow plays in National Championship games to catapult himself into America’s consciousness. Hurtling defenders and brutal stiff arms reminded college football and NFL fans of another big back from the Crimson Tide, Derrick Henry. Henry took a couple of years to wrestle the RB1 title away from DeMarco Murray and become the best back in the NFL. Harris was the unquestioned number one for Pittsburgh the moment he was drafted.
Coach Tomlin is acutely aware that despite being well handled, it is hard for a two-headed quarterback to lead an offense. Harris will be the workhorse behind a questionable offensive line and how he handles being stoned early in games will be crucial to the resilience of the unit. If he gets off to fast starts or teams come out loading the box to stuff him, it should give the Steelers' passing offense an advantage. Especially, the sensational rookie George Pickens who is not only a fabulous blocker but a nightmare for any CB2 or nickel.
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Harris will also have competent relief this season in the form of undrafted free agent Jaylen Warren who he has been mentoring since early in camp. Warren is an excellent receiver like Harris and despite his smaller stature, he is also a physical runner. Being the leader of the offense is going to involve the second-year running back recognizing the team needs him for the long haul and ceding carries. Opportunities to enhance Warren’s role in the offense will produce a better outcome in the end.
Hall of Famers Jerome Bettis & Franco Harris embrace at final game @ Three Rivers Stadium; Photo/ Credit: Matt Freed, Post-Gazette
Running backs have short shelf lives in the NFL but the Steelers have been blessed with two running backs as leaders in the Super Bowl era who had long Hall of Fame careers. Both were big, tough running backs, who fans of the black and gold loved to watch play. Jerome Bettis and the man who will be just the third number retired in the history of the team, Franco Harris, carried teams to division titles, playoff wins and championships. Najee Harris plays their position and we will find out this season if he can start filling their shoes.
What do you think Steeler Nation? Are you excited to see Harris as a captain for the black and gold? Comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
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