Jaylen Warren

Farabaugh adds that Harris "seems to have several suitors" and that the Raiders were "one team that came up quite often when talking about Harris." Steelers general manager Omar Khan was quoted at the NFL Combine as saying that Pittsburgh hasn't closed the door on a return for Harris, but that's not exactly a statement brimming with optimism and movement towards a deal. The Athletic's Mike DeFabo wrote today that Harris "appears far more likely to be playing elsewhere than the GM's public comments made it seem." Harris seems likely to wind up elsewhere in free agency, leaving Jaylen Warren as Pittsburgh's lead back for the short term.

Khan noted the strength of the upcoming draft class and also said the team will be tendering restricted free agent Jaylen Warren. Harris didn't have his fifth-year option picked up and is set to hit free agency in less than a month. The Steelers have always been higher on Harris and his bruising style than outside observers, but it sounds like they will let him field outside offers before bringing him back. The former first-round pick rumbled for his fourth consecutive 1,000-yard season last year, though he barely hit four digits while running at a pedestrian 4.0 yards per carry. Harris is a replacement-level back who could fetch a premium in free agency with the cap skyrocketing this offseason.

Khan didn't mention what level of tender the team would assign to Warren. A right of first refusal tender is the most likely and will run Pittsburgh $3.2 million. It would also allow Warren to negotiate a potential contract with other teams. If an offer is made, the Steelers then have the opportunity to match it. Warren struggled through injuries in 2024 and saw his numbers fall across the board. He was previously topping the charts in most efficiency metrics and it's a no-brainer for the Steelers to tender him in the hopes of a return to form next year. With Najee Harris set to hit free agency, Warren could see an uptick in touches in 2025.