Pittsburgh Steelers RB Najee Harris has all the time taken a critical {and professional} strategy to the sport. Early in his profession on a youthful offense, Pittsburgh put him in management positions. Although that purpose has pale, Harris’ strategy hasn’t. And along with his fifth-year choice declined and in a contract 12 months, Harris has all of the motivation he must make 2024 his greatest season but. On his weekly Mike Tomlin Present, Mike Tomlin acknowledged that can play an element.
“He’s had a very good staff growth course of and he was anxious to get began,” Tomlin instructed host Bob Pompeani. “To be fairly trustworthy with you, man, Najee is motivated to know. He needs to point out his capabilities and it’s an enormous 12 months for him. And so it’s thrilling to see his preparation for that. He got here in in nice form.”
Turning 27 subsequent March with already practically 1,500 carries below his faculty and NFL belt, the 2025 offseason is probably going Harris’ solely likelihood at a good-money contract. Which means, he has to maximise 2024 if he needs to maximise that future deal. The higher season he has, the extra he’ll receives a commission.
Whereas Harris has been a selfless teammate and accomplished the whole lot the staff has requested since being drafted in 2021, there’s no disgrace in being motivated by the cash that sits on the opposite aspect of the season. Generational wealth if saved and invested properly, even when the working again market would possibly “solely” pay him $10 million per season. And he can show Pittsburgh fallacious for declining his choice.
“He’s had a very good course of,” Tomlin mentioned. “And so I don’t suppose that any of us are shocked by the character of his efficiency.”
Harris bought his season began off on the fitting foot. With Jaylen Warren restricted resulting from a preseason hamstring harm, Harris returned to a 2021-like function and served because the Steelers’ lead again. He carried the ball 20 occasions and ran arduous, ending with 70 yards. That included a 20-yard run, considered one of his greatest in latest reminiscence, discovering the cutback lane and churning his legs ahead to select up extra yards on the finish.
Harris will get a crack on the Denver Broncos’ protection Sunday afternoon. Whereas Denver allowed over 100 yards to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1, they performed nice staff run protection within the first half earlier than faltering within the third quarter.
For Harris to have an enormous recreation and season, he’ll have to report explosive performs he’s but to realize all through his profession. Positive aspects of 30-plus yards that may rack up the numbers in-game and enhance his common. If he can discover inexperienced grass immediately and through the remainder of the 12 months, there will probably be inexperienced in his pockets come subsequent 12 months.
