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In the days after the Pittsburgh Steelers declined the fifth-year option for running back Najee Harris, rumors that the Steelers could trade Harris to the Dallas Cowboys began to circle. But just as those rumors really began to swirl, NFL Network’s Jane Slater put a stop to them.
Slater tweeted on May 6 that a source in the Dallas organization told her there’s nothing to the Harris-Cowboys trade rumors.
“On these Najee Harris and Cowboys reporters, team source tells me ‘click bait,'” wrote Slater on X (formerly Twitter).
The Cowboys signed running back Ezekiel Elliott this offseason, bringing him back to Dallas after he spent a year with the New England Patriots.
But the rumor mill never really stops around the Cowboys, and Dallas could use more production in its backfield as it prepares to compete for a championship in 2024.
The Steelers surprised a lot of the team’s media by declining Harris’ fifth-year option on May 2. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac reported the Steelers “want to wait and see” how Harris performs in the team’s new offense before committing to him on a long-term basis.
ESPN’s Brooke Pryor had a similar report. She wrote the team is “not ruling out agreeing to a deal with Harris” following the 2024 season. However, local media is already anticipating this fall to be Harris’ last year in Pittsburgh.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Ray Fittipaldo said on The North Shore Drive Podcast on May 6 that there’s a 90 to 95 percent chance Harris will not return to the Steelers after 2024.
Najee Harris Connected to Dallas Cowboys in NFL Trade Rumors
Speculation that the Cowboys could acquire Harris from the Steelers was a mere few hours old when Slater threw cold water over the suggestion.
Fansided’s John Buhler appeared to be the first to propose the possibility of Dallas acquiring Harris on May 4. 93.7 The Fan’s Adam Crowley then amplified that rumor on May 6.
“So here’s the hot, hot, hot Steelers trade rumor. It comes from one guy from Fan Sided and the other guy from Bleacher Report, so I don’t know if it’s the most credible thing,” Crowley said. “I also don’t know if it’s not, because both of those guys say they have Steelers sources, and the rumor is this: The Dallas Cowboys could be interested in trading for Najee Harris.”
Other outlets jumped on the rumor on May 6 before Slater’s tweet.
Because the Steelers didn’t pick up Harris’ fifth-year option, he could be the subject of trade rumors throughout this offseason.
Harris has rushed for at least 1,000 yards and 7 touchdowns in each of his three NFL seasons. As a rookie, he led the NFL with 381 touches and posted 1,667 yards from scrimmage.
He’s had more than 1,200 yards from scrimmage each of the past two seasons as well.
Steelers to Face RB Decisions After 2024
By declining Harris’ fifth-year option, he will become an unrestricted free agent after this season. But that’s not the only decision the team will have in the backfield.
Fellow running back Jaylen Warren will be a restricted free agent next offseason as well. And that’s just the beginning of the free agency questions on Pittsburgh’s offense. Quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, tight end Pat Freiermuth, and guard James Daniels will also be unrestricted free agents.
Warren hasn’t been as productive as Harris, but he’s been more efficient. Warren has averaged 5.1 yards per rush, including 5.3 last year, in his career. Harris has posted 3.9 yards per carry in the NFL. Last season, he recorded 4.1 yards per rush.
Because of Warren’s superior efficiency, the Steelers could view him as their future at running back rather than Harris. If that’s the case, the team could decide to start that future now and trade Harris this offseason.
Slater’s report ruled out a Harris trade to the Cowboys. But the NFL media is likely to connect Harris to other teams this summer.
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