Former Player Worried Najee Harris Will Want Out of Steelers
PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers took a chance on a first-round running back three years ago, and since, the investment has seen promising returns. In two full seasons in the league, Najee Harris has eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark twice and is already a Pro Bowl runner.
But what's to come makes one former Steelers player werry. Former offensive lineman Ramon Foster, during an episode of the Ramon Foster Show, said fans need to be a little better to Harris before things turn sour.
"Those who say we want Najee gone, don't be upset if Najee says some stuff in public or Najee is a little bit more sinister about his attitude and how fans treat him," Foster said. "Because all that will play a part in it too, 'Oh, y'all want me going? Okay, I don't want to be here.' That is my player side because people are so quick to turn the page on a guy because of 'bad production.'"
The conversation started when Foster began talking about the rise of backup running back Jaylen Warren. While Harris remains the team's RB1, some fans have made it clear they'd rather Warren on the field more often.
That outpour from fans leaves Foster worried, as Harris' value might only be decreasing in the eyes of the fanbase and not production on the field.
"Gotta remember the guy who's the star also gets the most attention. It's the backup guy, Jaylen, who surprises you, who knocks you for 80 yards and you realize, oh dang, Najee had 90 and he had 80," Foster said. "It's natural for you to want to go to the backup, but the backup is the backup for a reason."
Harris rushed for 1,034 yards and seven touchdowns last season, while Warren burst onto the scene as an undrafted rookie with 379 yards and a touchdown but averaged 4.9 yards per carry compared to Harris' 3.8 YPC.
Overall, Steelers fans shouldn't expect a change and should rather expect more from Harris in 2023. Working behind a rebuilt offensive line and with the weapons this offense has heading into the season, it appears - on paper - that this is the running back's best shot for a superstar performance since being drafted.
And if things work out for the best, Pittsburgh's offense should feature two dynamic backs this season.
"I'll say this, when you got two that can work like this, just appreciate both," Foster said. "Because Najee does stuff that Jaylen doesn't and Jaylen does stuff that Najee doesn't."
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