The Pittsburgh Steelers made a very savvy organizational decision by deciding to decline the fifth-year option for running back Najee Harris. It was the correct decision for them to make. Harris simply wasn't putting up top of the market running back production before Jaylen Warren came along. With Warren out playing Harris the past two seasons, and mostly supplanting him as the passing down back, the cost was outweighed by the benefit.
What led to this moment?
The Steelers were desperate to improve their running game after the conclusion of the 2020 season, and with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger on the back nine of his career, the team brass decided to start with a running back to boost the rushing attack.