This offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers have made a number of stable additions to their roster. They embody DK Metcalf and Darius Slay. Nonetheless, they’ve additionally misplaced some key contributors. Najee Harris may be probably the most signficant loss. Whereas he he’s one of the best operating again within the league, Harris has been a mannequin of consistency. Generally, that may be hard to find at that position. Former NFL operating again Jawon Chisholm, who spent a while with the Steelers in 2015, believes Pittsburgh will miss Harris’ reliability
“I don’t suppose individuals typically perceive how arduous it’s to be wholesome, particularly within the NFL, not to mention the highschool degree,” Chisholm mentioned recently on the Sports Buzz Podcast. “I’ve seen so many five-stars are available in and by no means even play. I’ve seen folks that was imagined to be this, however you by no means get to see them play. As a result of why? Accidents.
“So, so that you can keep wholesome, which implies you’re doing one thing proper along with your physique, flexibility, mobility. You’re taking good care of your physique; you’re placing cash into it. My largest factor is, I want him one of the best. I appreciated him as a operating again. Generally, individuals want new properties to grow to be what they will grow to be.”
Chisholm isn’t flawed. Staying wholesome whereas taking part in soccer, at any degree, could be powerful. In his 4 seasons with the Steelers, Harris didn’t miss a single recreation. That may be spectacular for any place, however at operating again, that’s spectacular.
Some individuals wish to say that availability is one of the best potential, and Harris has been a workhorse, dashing for 1,000 yards in each season of his profession in Pittsburgh. That included him being part of some dreadful offenses. Oftentimes, the Steelers weren’t doing Harris many favors. Together with his new workforce, the Los Angeles Chargers, he might discover extra success.
It doesn’t sound like Chisholm thinks the Steelers’ backfield is hopeless, although.
“Jaylen Warren, it’s time for him to step up. They usually picked up [Kenneth Gainwell] from the Eagles. He went to Memphis. I like him so much,” he mentioned. “They need to nonetheless have an important backfield. Hopefully, they will get a quarterback. Whoever’s there, I do know they’ll do good. It’s been an important group.”
The Steelers did signal Kenneth Gainwell, however he’s probably not a lead again. He’s served principally as a change-of-pace participant, offering some worth within the cross recreation and on particular groups. That probably isn’t going to vary a lot with the Steelers.
Warren is the participant Harris’ absence could affect the most. Throughout his time within the league, he’s served in a job much like Gainwell. Warren has been best coming in as aid for Harris, being a implausible man to have in a combo. In the mean time, he’s scheduled to be extra in Harris’ position whereas Gainwell takes his spot.
It’s unclear if Warren is prepared for that. He won’t be suited to deal with the total load the Steelers might place on him. Due to this fact, the Steelers might flip to the draft to exchange Harris. Working again is among the biggest strengths of the 2025 draft. Although they don’t have a second-round decide, the Steelers can most likely discover a high quality starter with one in all their first alternatives.
Whereas Chisholm is assured in Warren and Gainwell, the Steelers may be higher off adding another running back to that room. That might permit each these gamers to settle into their extra pure roles. Harris won’t have been spectacular, however he was dependable. The Steelers might discover themselves lacking that high quality in 2025.
