The Pittsburgh Steelers’ decision to decline RB Najee Harris’ fifth-year option has sparked a lot of conversations about Jaylen Warren and the position in general. Harris, a former first-round pick, has lagged in efficiency stats that Warren, a former college free agent, has managed better in. Warren, for example, had better than a yard per carry more, even in Harris’ best efficiency season.
With his option declined, Harris is now due to become an unrestricted free agent in March. We don’t know the plausibility of him remaining in Pittsburgh beyond that point, and neither do they. But that leaves open the possibility of Warren as the lead back a year from now—and the need for another runner.