Harris’ 1,043 yards in 2024 gave him four consecutive seasons above the 1,000-yard plateau. He is the third player in the last 20 seasons to record more than 1,000 rush yards in each of his first four NFL campaigns (others: Adrian Peterson and Chris Johnson).

However, these numbers were achieved primarily by the Steelers buying in bulk. Harris has a pedestrian career average of 3.9 yards per carry and has never rushed for more than 40 yards in his career. According to Pro Football Focus, Harris has never been a good tackle breaker, averaging a career 2.91 yards after contact per carry.

The Steelers’ decision to decline a not-unusual $6.97 million fifth-year option signaled that they would feel comfortable moving on from the running back after the season.

Jaylen Warren has cut into Harris’ runs and has been more explosive than the former first-rounder – 3.39 yards after contact over three seasons. Harris has 103 runs of more than 10 yards on 1,121 carries in his career (one per 10.88 totes), per PFF. Warren has 51 carries for 10 yards on 354 carries (one every 6.94 carries).

In two games against Baltimore this season, Harris has rushed for 105 yards on 27 carries (3.89 YPC) with no touchdowns.

Harris has never won a playoff game with the Steelers, going 0-2 in his first three seasons. If this is his final playoff trip in Pittsburgh, Harris wants to go out with a bang and get at least one more game in the black and gold.

“You can’t lose sight of the fact that at the end of the day that’s the main goal,” Harris said of winning the postseason. “Yes, you want to have good (individual stats) and everything, but at the end of the day it’s about the team win. If the team wins, everyone eats. If the team doesn’t win, then really not.” It doesn’t matter.

Last offseason, headline-grabbing running backs moved up and down the roster, from Saquon Barkley to Derrick Henry to Josh Jacobs. The 2025 class isn’t as star-studded, with Aaron Jones, Harris, JK Dobbins, Javonte Williams, Rico Dowdle and Nick Chubb the top options set to become free agents in March after injury.