Najee Harris is having an eventful 2022.
Over the last three months, the Steelers running back has inherited a new starting quarterback and revamped offensive line. He made an appearance on AEW Dynamite supporting Pittsburgh native (and former women’s champion) Britt Baker and briefly got an open mic on live television (it was quickly shut off). And he refined the chiseled physical form that makes him a freight train in the open field before his team’s voluntary team workouts.
That last part led to reports his massive quadriceps were a sign he’d play 2022 significantly heavier than his rookie season. Harris would like everyone to know that’s not true.
Some reporters be straight cornballs
— Najee Harris (@ohthatsNajee22) May 31, 2022
The powerful back followed that vague tweet with a reply to a news aggregating account that does no actual reporting of its own that had noted he now weighs 244 pounds after clocking in at 232 the year prior. “Bra I weighed 240 last year. Reporters really don’t be knowing nothing just tweeting [expletive],” wrote Harris.
While he was listed at 232 pounds in 2021 and still currently is on the Steelers’ website, he says he tipped the scales at 240 while rushing for 1,200 yards behind a slipshod offensive line. He needed every ounce of that power; his 1.7 yards before contact ranked 48th among 53 qualified ballcarriers last fall. His 2.2 yards after contact clocked in at 19th.
That’s why those disputed four pounds may matter. Especially if they went toward giving Harris the biggest thighs this side of AJ Dillon at running back.
Your daily dose of Najee Harris looking scary. #Steelers @937theFan pic.twitter.com/wSLs72abCM
— Josh Rowntree (@JRown32) May 26, 2022
Harris is primed for a breakthrough season thanks to modest upgrades in his blocking and a passing game more capable of stretching the field after the sad finish to Ben Roethlisberger’s Hall of Fame career. Pittsburgh’s 6.7 air yards per pass attempt was the second-lowest figure in the league, allowing safeties and linebackers to sneak toward the line of scrimmage and add static to the Steelers’ running lanes. Mitchell Trubisky and rookie Kenny Pickett aren’t a perfect replacement, but they should be better suited to utilize the downfield speed of receivers like Chase Claypool, Diontae Johnson, George Pickens and Calvin Austin.
That would go a long way to clearing space for Harris, who carried the ball more than anyone but Jonathan Taylor in 2021. A similar workload could lead to All-Pro honors with bigger holes up front. That’s true whether he’s 232 pounds, 240, or 244.
