Scout's Eye with Matt Williamson: Najee's future?

Matt's Mailbag!
#Pittsburgh #Steelers #HereWeGo #NFL
Hear award-winning columnist Dejan Kovacevic's three Daily Shot podcasts -- one each on Steelers, Penguins, Pirates -- every weekday morning, plus the all-new DOUBLE SHOT show that follows up at 4 p.m. Eastern!
How to be part of the show: www.dkpittsburg...
SUBSCRIBE TO CHANNEL ► / @dkps_steelers
MEMBERSHIPS TO CHANNEL ► / @dkps_steelers
APPS ► DKPS.net/apple | DKPS.net/android
WEBSITE ► www.DKPittsburg...
FACEBOOK ► / dkpittsburghsports
INSTAGRAM ► / dkpghsports
THREADS www.threads.ne...
X ► x.com/DKPghSports
ALL PODCASTS ► linktr.ee/DKPg...
ABOUT US ► DK Pittsburgh Sports is the proud, pioneering, fully independent venture begun in 2014 by award-winning columnist Dejan Kovacevic and featuring a professional staff covering the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates year-round and everywhere they go! This is where it all started!

[@ronhacker3806]

We need to try to keep both of them

[@toddjacksonpoetry]

I'm 63 years old and could probably still run effectively behind the O-line after those young guys have another year under their belts. Najee will be a nightmare.

[@lesterj.draytonjr.6140]

Najee 's reliability alone is worthy to be resigned. I'd rather play with him than against him.

[@spicecreations1416]

I believe paying the player that’s reliable and gives you the production . People just think draft a RB and you will get what Najee does. Will they stay healthy like Najee and it’s not a guarantee they will be as productive as Najee. Pay the man.

[@misterwirez7731]

I am with you Matt on just about everything you covered. IMO, if they wanted Najee, they'd have signed him. I think a faster more dynamic and yes much cheaper back is in the draft.

[@44heavy44]

najee and jaylen warren are the same age . you will not replace najees productivity and availability in the draft .

[@robotfox1987]

Do you think runningbacks are wide receivers? There was a reason for the rb market controversy these past couple offseasons. You absolutely can get najee’s production out of a cheaper, younger back, and thats coming from someone who likes najee (Primary example was when warren was outplaying him just last year)

[@thefirerises436]

Jaylen played a year of junior college ball, a year at Utah State, and a year at Oklahoma State. Najee played 4 seasons at Alabama!! Najee has much more miles on him regardless of their actual ages. Jaylen himself would be more productive as the premier back (if stayed healthy) and has a much cheaper price tag

[@zeusthedrumlord547]

@@robotfox1987you addressed ‘productivity’ but completely ignored ‘availability.’ Naj is extremely available, and that is commendable and extremely valuable regardless of his struggles at times. It felt like the Steelers *never* had bell available for the playoffs and a good chunk of many seasons. Naj is insanely healthy and you absolutely can’t count on drafting somebody with that at this position in particular.

[@spicecreations1416]

@@robotfox1987you’re probably not getting 1000 yards in four seasons straight from a rookie and can that rookie stay on the field and not turn the ball over like Najee? That’s what y’all not looking at.

[@spicecreations1416]

@@thefirerises436no Jalen would not be more productive. It’s easy to run when teams aren’t selling out to stop you and Jalen played less but his body is already breaking down. Stop the madness.

[@moparking1714]

Russ , Justin , Naj , keep them all if you can. Get another young dynamic reciever. Get the O line together and we are back competing. We are not that far off at all from a top 5 team .

[@jerryyeager1307]

Thank you Matt. Najee has fought for hard yardage. I wouldn't let him go. We never know what we get in the draft and they are rookies. As far as Wilson goes they will work it out. Fields will continue to learn and play. Great show Matt

[@oseskill3k337]

He 173 yards away from becoming the 13 back in history with 4 straight 1000 yard season

[@joshmichel7996]

I love Najee and I hope we extend him.

[@robertdocholliday66sadler]

Najee and Jaylen are 26 not old

[@Kuhlayo43]

It’s like no one learned their lesson from the Bell situation.. Najee is no where near as talented as Bell was but he is our RB1 for a reason. There are things that you get with Najee that you can’t get from anyone else and everyone tends to overlook it. He has been with us through some of our worst O line years and no other RB we would’ve drafted in the later rounds would’ve been as productive and reliable as Najee. You pay him 12 mill a year because you know no matter what he’s gonna be playing in the game far more than he misses. Can’t remember the last game we went without him

[@acgonzales7]

I was pretty adamant to start the year that Fields would be the 2025 starter but that's definitely swinging the other way. I'd be surprised if they re-signed Moore after drafting two rookie OT.

[@tomburns8441]

There is no debating Najee's availability. The question is, is that worth $11? Objectively, I say no. You may not get full replacement value in the draft, but if you draft and pair with JW- you would save a lot and would get equal or at least close. I would push money towards the line. Look at the injuries we had this year and all though they have been spotty- there are still guys stepping up.

[@sonsofliberty3081]

Nick singleton from psu? Big body but faster. Still durable

[@PENS68]

It's a tough decision with Najee Harris. I like the combo of Jaylen Warren and Najee, but also running backs have a short life span in the NFL and I always feel you can draft decent running backs in later rounds of the draft. Also, Najee will probably have his fourth straight 1000 yard season, which is also remarkable. It's a tough decision.

[@jonny4ya]

It’s just something about Najee as a person and his running style that I would just hate to lose, i just wish he could get like 2 seconds faster 😂

[@johnbruce4003]

I have ZERO faith Trice can stay healthy. Would love to be proven wrong.

[@misterwirez7731]

He's so long and lanky I think his knees and ankles won't hold up. Like we've seen. In two years he has what 30 snaps?

[@DavidKfilmmaker]

I need to see trice healthy for more than a week or two to count him in the future.

[@feetallday075]

Naj is the only real Steeler on offense... dont know what u got till its gone

[@davepheilshifter2418]

Tough situation with Najee since we all like and appreciate him. But watch how late really good RB's like Rutgers Kyle Monongai are still available in the 2025 draft. Have a different take on the OL. Fautanu will be a special OT and probably our future LT, Herbig doesn't fit the scheme well but could be useful as a backup at minimum salary, Dan Moore will take the big money and we should be awarded a 5th or 6th round comp pick in 2026. Seaumalo will finish out his contract and his future replacement will be a day3 player in the 2025 or 26 draft. It would be wise to upgrade our backup OT spot if one is available on day3 although Sharping fits nicely maybe into next season. BTW, I stated publicly before the season that James Daniels was a valuable trade possibility and I wanted McCormick to start asap so he and Frazier could build chemistry. Massive Mac and Fraz have been outstanding rookies. Frazier reminds me of Webby who's one of my favorite all-time Steelers.

[@jojosaute]

Team has tons of areas they could use someone. Wr for sure. Rb for sure. Nt type for sure Guard? Corner? ILB

[@chrisrobinson8339]

We need everything. Except maybe quarterback.

[@steelermike5219]

I love Najee but I’m pretty sure he’ll sign elsewhere and Tomlin and Arthur smith will draft a RB in 2nd or 3rd who has more speed but a thumper to maybe like Love from ND

[@robertdocholliday66sadler]

I would love to see Singleton from Penn st if they don't sign Najee

[@steelermike5219]

@ I like singleton a lot and kaytron Allen… Idk if you’ve seen the RB at ND love I can’t think of his first name right now but he’s big and fast and if he’d get the creases Naj has been getting love would score no doubt. There might be a few others I’m going to start paying attention to D linemen and RBs in college here towards the end of the year because the Steelers will be drafting both

[@robertdocholliday66sadler]

@steelermike5219 Jeremiyah Love is only a sophomore, he can't come out this draft , Singleton and Kaytron can but I bet Kaytron stays 1 more yr if Singleton declares .

[@robertdocholliday66sadler]

@steelermike5219 nick Singleton is actually 20 yrs old is 1 yr younger than Allen by 1 yr and 2 days both birthdaysin Jan , Singleton 6 ft 224 . Allen 5'11 221

[@steelermike5219]

@ your right I just saw that. Ashton jeanty would be awesome but he’ll be picked way before we do. Is it just me or has singleton lost a little bit of his burst and top speed over the past season and a half or so? Penn state is my college team been watching them every Saturday for like 20 something years lol. So I love my WeAre guys

[@carlspackler1431]

Matt, you need to update your repertoire! Full saying is.. Jack of all trades, master of none, but still better than a master one one! Changes the real meaning behind that statement in that it is indeed better to spread out and try things versus being great at one single things.

[@victorvale8391]

I get not doing the 5th year option on a running back but why not Fields if for no other reason so you have at least one QB signed for next year people talk like Russ is automatically going to come back to us on the cheap, my understanding is he’s a free agent and can play the market driving up the cost if he even wants to come back

[@shaneknight44]

Matt I’m usually right with you, but i completely disagree! Keep Isaac, and absolutely we need to sign Dan Moore, and i would try to bring back Daniels as well. That gives us 3 tackles and 4 solid inside linemen. 7 good players with a good mix of vets and youngsters. That’s a solid oline with depth. I think we can afford this. We have a lot of money next year and obviously the qb will take some. Unless we can get a top notch wr like Higgins, I’d resign everyone! This lets put all our focus on drafting D which we really need esp on the Dline. We’ve rebuilt this oline over years and it’s ok now but next year it could be great esp if we keep those vets. 7 good oline players, especially with a good year of experience under their belt becomes a strength of our team. Idk what saving a few pennies does to help the team but your idea definitely pushes the Oline back yet again!

[@StillersMX]

I thought picking his 5th year option was an easy decision. I'm not saying it now, did so months ago.

[@mycalbrooks8161]

I want to argue Najee isn’t special tho. Is there more well rounded back? He’s atleast a B in everything except maybe speed where I would say no less than a C lol.. but ball security durability and yards after contact he’s A++

[@yourneighbor6957]

Lol do we really think the steelers should be looking at RB in the 3rd this year . Maybe 4th , we already know D line 1st or 2nd , most likely and hopefully we land a receiver at some point . 3rd might be good point but it probably means your passing over a bigger need .

[@mikeirwin6421]

I could see them franchise tagging Najee for 2025.

[@davidhidalgo5662]

First two picks I want Dline and Oline because we never have enough great Big guys. The game is won and lost in the trenches. I mean just look at Lions great Oline makes all the difference in the world. Then look at RB and WR and more WR

[@djkongova]

the steelers are going to draft Arthur Smiths preferred running back in the draft this year. Najee is a good back most of the time, but his running style isn't ideal for a Smith scheme.

[@tiemann55]

I’d rather pay Najee. Much cheaper than GP too

[@infinity2z3r07]

Is either starting LG, RG (meaning Seumalo, Daniels) on the roster in 2025? edit: nevermind, you talked about it haha

[@alfonzolovelace4965]

I don’t Agree with this whole undervaluing the RB position thing I think D Henry and Barkley are teaching us that you can always draft A RB but you still need Najees experience and availability get rid of him and I guarantee this time next year that position will be A clear weakness

[@nelsonhousos7878]

They better sign Najee back...dude plays like a bull every fkn game and very rarely fumbles...and we are finally getting an oline built for him and then adding Warren in the mix is great...have Najee beat up the defense and then have Warren's speed just torch the beat up defense and they are both good enough to play good reps and giving the other guy a break and it helps keep them both fresh

[@Lord_Clayton420]

Im concerned about trice being injury prone and u can get a RB anywhere...even off the street lol. Najee isnt anything special unless u value 3ypc and no long breakaway touchdowns

[@jmango835]

We are an ungrateful org if we just let Najee walk. Smh

[@mycalbrooks8161]

Lmao poetry

[@oseskill3k337]

So don't bring back Jackson and he leading us in picks 😂

[@ericaesslinger5556]

Continuity- keep Najee

[@chrishodge3610]

HARRIS IS GONNA B GREAT...

[@nickdelaguila6050]

This is the best RB draft class in 10+ years. Perfect time to move on from Naj. Give me judkins or Kaleb Johnson in round 2

[@spicecreations1416]

He’s 26. What do you mean his age?

[@steelking22]

They should sign Najee through age 31, no longer than that.

[@KCTom626]

Trice can't stay on the field.

[@kentsturgill5945]

Careful sir talking about overpaying old guys, and Cam's little brother yikes

[@chrishodge3610]

THE MORE THE OLINE GETS BETTER ...HARRIS WILL...

[@lindaamodeo3061]

Trice is always hurt though

[@jsmitt3700]

A big NO to re-signing Moore.

[@robotfox1987]

Why?

[@jsmitt3700]

@robotfox1987 The Steelers just drafted to OT in the 1st Rdand both can be good with plyn time and experience. They don't need to pay big money for an avg LT

[@pplebite8844]

Love Najee, but there's so much talent in the next draft. You'd be crazy to resign him, unless you're simply attached to him. And that may be the case with Tomlin as head coach. So I wouldn't be shocked if that happens. Najee is replaceable with the incoming talent next draft. I can name at least 4 guys in the next draft to replace Najee and the Steelers wouldn't/shouldn't miss a beat... Expect the Steelers to find a proper WR1/2 to bookend with Pickens in the next draft. Also, I fully expect Fields to beat out Wilson next season. Yes, I do expect both to make their return. The Steelers will hwve a difficult time replacing Fields properly with the QBs entering next draft. None of those guys are as ready as Fields is right now.

[@chrisrobinson8339]

Connor Hayward has been trash 🗑️ this year. I'm glad the Steelers recognized it earlier than later.

[@lindaamodeo3061]

Trice is always hurt though