The Pittsburgh Steelers may be on the verge of losing their star running back, Najee Harris, to an AFC rival. Harris, who is set to become a free agent, has been linked to the Denver Broncos, who are in desperate need of a talented running back.
The Steelers declined Harris’ fifth-year option last May, citing concerns about his fit in the team’s new offense under coordinator Arthur Smith. Despite his impressive durability, playing in every game over the past four seasons, Harris’ efficiency has been a concern, largely due to the team’s poor offensive line play.
The Broncos, on the other hand, are looking to revamp their running game after a lackluster 2024 season. With Javonte Williams departing, the team is in need of a physical, downhill rusher like Harris. According to former NFL running back Maurice Jones-Drew, Harris would be a perfect fit for the Broncos.
“Harris is a physical, downhill rusher who consistently breaks tackles,” Jones-Drew wrote. “That’s the type of back [Broncos head coach] Sean Payton would welcome.”
The Broncos’ offense has shown improvement under Payton’s guidance, and the addition of Harris could be the missing piece to take the team to the next level. With quarterback Bo Nix at the helm, the Broncos are looking to build a more balanced offense, and Harris’ presence could be a key factor in achieving that goal.
As the Steelers prepare to potentially lose their star running back, fans are left wondering what the future holds for the team’s offense. Will they be able to find a suitable replacement for Harris, or will they rely on other players to fill the void? Only time will tell.
