The Pittsburgh Steelers have a couple of gamers at key positions who develop into free brokers this offseason. With these gamers, they’re introduced some tough selections. Guys like Russell Wilson, Justin Fields and Najee Harris have all proven causes for Pittsburgh to maintain them round. But, there’s been struggles as properly. Harris is an particularly attention-grabbing participant and may need a greater probability of coming again this offseason than most individuals suspect.
Steelers insider Gerry Dulac gave his ideas on Harris’ probability to return on Wednesday, throughout his weekly chat for the Pittsburgh Submit-Gazette.
“There’s a good probability that might occur,” Dulac wrote, in response to a fan asking if the Steelers ought to deliver Harris again in order that they don’t have to make use of a draft choose on a operating again. “Particularly if MT [Mike Tomlin] will get his say.”
This may be an attention-grabbing draft to keep away from utilizing a choose on a operating again. In comparison with the previous few seasons, this yr’s operating again class is extraordinarily deep. If the Steelers completely wanted to make use of a draft choose on a again, they wouldn’t should waste a excessive choose. Even within the fourth and fifth rounds, there are high quality prospects who may be a minimum of rotational gamers in 2025.
Pairing Harris with a drafted operating again would additionally make sense. Earlier this offseason, Dulac himself signaled that there’s a “sturdy risk” Harris returns to Pittsburgh in 2025. The free agent class on the place is comparatively weak. The Steelers might not wish to drive themselves into taking a operating again throughout the draft. If that’s true, Harris is without doubt one of the higher choices.
Nevertheless, essentially the most attention-grabbing a part of Dulac’s message comes on the finish. He indicators that Harris shall be introduced again if Mike Tomlin will get his say. Tomlin clearly has a large say by way of roster strikes. That shouldn’t come as any shock. Dulac appears to be hinting that Tomlin is a fan of Harris right here. If these final two factors are each true, there’s most likely an excellent probability we see Harris in a Steelers uniform in 2025.
Even nonetheless, each motion the Steelers have taken over the past yr or two has appeared to run counter to the notion of Najee Harris receiving a second contract. In a weak free company class, although, the group might have modified its thoughts. The draft is deep in promising prospects. If the Steelers actually don’t wish to handcuff themselves into utilizing a choose on a again, bringing Harris again makes extra sense than many different free brokers. And it might please Tomlin, it appears.