With the Pittsburgh Steelers declining Najee Harris’ fifth-year option, the running back room could potentially look very different in 2025. The team will undoubtedly have to reshape its room with two key free agents.

Harris is set to hit the open market in 2025, while Jaylen Warren is a restricted free agent. Cordarrelle Patterson is under contract for the next two seasons. The Steelers will have the right of first refusal with Warren, which means they will have to pay him significantly more in 2025. As of now, it seems more probable that Warren would be back. An extension could occur for Harris, too, but it’s a lot murkier, as he could price himself out of Pittsburgh if he puts up gaudy numbers in 2024.

With Harris potentially moving following 2024, trade rumors have circulated, specifically to the Dallas Cowboys. It all started with one article when John Buhler of Fansided recently examined this scenario, projecting a 2025 fourth-round trade from Dallas in exchange for Harris. Since then, it took off as rumors.

The Cowboys are a running back-needy team, with Tony Pollard now employed by the Tennessee Titans. Dallas just recently signed Ezekiel Elliott back, but he doesn’t fully move the needle at this career stage.

But a Cowboys source told plugged-in Cowboys reporter Jane Slater that the rumors were all ‘clickbait,’ which makes sense given that Buhler states no sources have told him anything regarding a trade. He is simply going through a scenario that could benefit the Cowboys. It seems likely the Steelers will not move Harris, either, likely holding onto him for the final year of his contract with the team.

On these Najee Harris and Cowboys reports, team source tells me “click bait” 🤷🏼‍♀️

— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) May 6, 2024

Harris became the first player in Steelers history to run for 1,000 or more yards in each of the first three seasons of his career. In 2023, Harris had the best season of his career in terms of yards per carry as he rushed 255 times for 1,035 yards — a 4.1 yards per carry average — and he scored eight touchdowns. Harris had rushed for 3.9 and 3.8 yards per carry in his first two seasons. In other words, Harris has become a dependable running back for Pittsburgh through sheer availability and some solid tape.

He had his most efficient season yet in 2023. Harris’ rushing yards of expectation, yards per carry, and broken tackles per carry were all career-high. There is a lot to signal that Harris has some upside left in his game, and this should be the best offensive line he has played behind.