The Pittsburgh Steelers had an up-and-down 2023 regular season but made the playoffs. Sneaking into the AFC’s final playoff spot with a 10-7 record, the Steelers look to make a run and attempt to add to their lengthy history.
One of the reasons for their late-season push to make the playoffs was the performance of running back Najee Harris. How much does Harris make on his contract?
How Much Is Najee Harris Making in 2023?
Harris was born on March 9, 1998, in Martinez, California. He played high school football at Antioch High School, where he rushed for 7,948 yards and 94 touchdowns on 838 carries. His high school success left him rated as the second overall recruit in the 2017 class, according to 247Sports Composite.
With such a high ranking, he was heavily recruited by all major programs. However, the University of Alabama came out on top. He ended up spending four seasons with the Crimson Tide, where he compiled 3,843 yards and 46 touchdowns on 638 carries. He also had 80 receptions for 781 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Following his college career, Harris was drafted with the 24th pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Steelers. He was made the first running back selected in the draft, just one spot ahead of Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne.
With his draft position set in stone, Harris later signed his rookie contract on May 25, 2021. The contract was a four-year deal worth $13.1 million, fully guaranteed with a $6.9 million signing bonus. Included in his contract, as well as all first-rounders, is a fifth-year option worth a projected $6,659,000 if picked up, according to OverTheCap.
Since being drafted, Harris has put together three straight seasons over 1,000 yards. He has 834 career carries for 3,269 yards and 22 touchdowns. Additionally, he has caught 144 passes for 866 yards and six more touchdowns.
In just 2023 alone, Harris was close to not reaching his 1,000-yard mark. He finished the season with 1,035 yards and eight touchdowns. However, he was able to make the mark because of his final two-week stretch, when he rushed for 234 yards and three touchdowns on 53 attempts against the Seattle Seahawks and Baltimore Ravens.
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Harris spent the majority of 2023 splitting carries with fellow running back Jaylen Warren. Harris’ 255 attempts in 2023 were the lowest of his short career, with him having 307 as a rookie. Warren had 149 carries of his own for 784 yards and four touchdowns.
The Steelers will now direct their attention to their Wild Card Weekend opponent, the Buffalo Bills. The Bills finished the season with an 11-6 record and won the AFC East. The game was initially delayed from a Saturday kickoff due to a snowstorm in Western New York.
Want to predict the results of the 2023 NFL postseason with our FREE NFL Playoff Predictor? How about looking into in-depth breakdowns of team depth charts or the NFL playoff schedule? Pro Football Network has you covered with all that and more!
