The Pittsburgh Steelers declined to pick up the fifth-year option on former first-round back Najee Harris.
The Alabama football product enters the fifth and final year of his rookie deal after rushing for three consecutive 1,000 yard seasons with the club.
Steelers GM Omar Khan spoke publicly on Harris and what led to this decision on Friday.
“It was a business decision that we had to make by May 2,” Khan said during a Thursday appearance on 93.7 The Fan. “But Najee’s awesome to have around here. Love Najee as a player and a person. Just because we didn’t pick it up doesn’t exclude us from doing something with Najee long term. I’d love to say Najee was here and had a long career in Pittsburgh. He really represents us well on the field and off the field.”
Harris has been a participant in the teams voluntary OTAs but is currently not practicing. Harris has declined an interview request at this time but says he will speak during Steelers training camp.
Harris is set up to play for a new deal in the fall. Many consider this a make it or break it year for the fifth-year back.
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Personal: Trevion Ware is from Dallas, Tx, born February 16th. He is a 2018 High school graduate from Dallas Carter High School. He attended 3 colleges, Texas A&M University Commerce, Butler Community College, and The University of Louisiana at Monroe. Trevion is a former collegiate track athlete as well.
D.W. CARTER HS
Was a four-time letterwinner at D.W. Carter HS, helping his team to a Class 4A UIL state championship before graduating in 2018…As a senior in 2017-18, was part of the 4x400 meter relay champions at Texas Relays and 4x200 Class 4A State Championship relay…As a junior in 2016-17, was part of the Texas Class 4A 4x400 relay state championship and won the 4A regional championship…As a sophomore in 2015-16, was a DISD 4A District Champion and a regional qualifier…As a freshman in 2014-15, was a DISD 4A District Champion and a regional qualifier…Also lettered in football.
TEXAS A&M-COMMERCE
As a freshman in 2018-19, posted a season-best time of 50.16 in the 400 meters at the Crimson & Gold Invitational (12/8/18)…Qualified for the Lone Star Conference Indoor Championship…
BUTLER CC
Competed in outdoor track & field at Butler CC in El Dorado, Kansas, in 2021…Part of the NJCAA national qualifying 4x800 meter relay team, running a season-best time of 8:23.39 in the NJCAA Region VI Championships (4/29-5/1/21) …Had his best 800 time, 1:59.08, at the 2021 Tabor College Open (4/24/21)…Also competed in the 4x400 relay.
Trevion Ware is also 2 time college graduate. He college graduate from Butler Community College in 2021, with his associates degree in liberal arts. He then continued his education at The University of Louisiana at Monroe. He began working in talk radio at ULM during his college career before transitioning to sports media. Trevion later went on to graduate from ULM with his Bachelors degree in mass communications in the spring of 2024. Trevion has a strong passion and drive for sports journalism. This sentiment has taken this young man far. Trevion Ware is now the newest journalist reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He will begin covering the Crimson Tide in the upcoming 2024 season! The best is truly yet to come for this young man and he will be a great asset to the TDA family/franchise.
