If he wants to secure a lucrative, long-term deal in free agency in 2025, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris is going to have a monster year in 2024.
The good news for Harris is that he's on a team that wants to run the football and is playing under an offensive coordinator in Arthur Smith who has had success in that area during his career.
Recently, The Athletic's Derrik Klassen made quite the bold prediction for Harris in 2024, saying that not only will Harris lead the league in rushing yards, he's also going to do so by 200 yards.
"I think Najee Harris leads the league in rushing by 200 yards," Klassen said on The Athletic Football Show. “Arthur Smith wants the big man to run the ball. Look at all of the guys that he's given a ton of carries to, whether it was Tyler Allgeier or Derrick Henry. He's going to give the big man the ball. If this young offensive line can at least be an above- average unit and if Darnell Washington can be a useful piece, they are going to give the ball to Najee Harris, he's going to get enough volume. I think Najee Harris is way better than people think."
Harris has tallied over 1,000 rushing yards in each of his first three seasons, including a career-high 1,200 yards in 2021. But he has never come close to a rushing crown.
The Steelers offensive coordinator is no stranger to coaching rushing champions, as he did so twice with Derrick Henry and the Tennessee Titans. However, that was a very different situation, as Henry didn't have to share work with another back.
While the arrow is pointing up for the Steelers' rushing attack because of Smith and what will hopefully be an improved offensive line, Jaylen Warren is going to be involved and will cut into Harris' work and production.
Now, that's not say that Harris isn't still capable of putting together a career year, but running away with the rushing title is far-fetched, to say the least.