Najee Harris was one of the top prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft, with the Pittsburgh Steelers using their first selection at running back.
Four years after he reached 24th place, Harris' tenure with the Steelers was over. The Pro Bowler entered the free agency market and agreed to a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Chargers.
During a press conference introducing his new team, Harris admitted that he realized he had run out of time with the Steelers.
For sports coverage on foxnews.com, click here
The Pittsburgh Steelers will be taking part in the drill on May 25, 2022 during practice at the Steelers Practice Complex in Pittsburgh. (Brandon Sloter/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“Me and the coach t [Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin]we're pretty close in a certain way, so I knew what was coming.” Harris said. “I wasn't going to do that. It wasn't something that was in the plan or anything.”
DK Metcalf downplays Steelers' QB concerns and “vow to help anyone 'threw soccer' and “everyone'
Steelers general manager Omar Khan at the combined NFL scouting in Indianapolis last month, said the team never “closed the door” when Harris returned.
Harris said he always knows the business side of the NFL.
“But it's business. My coach said that when I was a rookie, even last year, he would say to me, 'This is the business side of things,'” Harris added. “I just took it and I figured it out. I knew it was going to be my last year… Maybe midway through the end of the season, I knew it.”
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlim ran off during a warm-up with Najee Harris (22) leaving before his match against the Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh's Aquilis Stadium on November 17, 2024. (Charles Leclair/Imagine image)
Harris went through some ups and downs in Pittsburgh, but his overall production was consistent. He finished all four seasons with the Steelers with at least 1,000 rushing yards. He was also durable, appearing in all 68 regular season games in four years of running with the famous franchise.
The Steelers, who run through Najee Harris, will run the ball near the Ravens' goal line at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on January 6, 2024 in Baltimore. (Randy Ritzinger/Icon Sports Wire via Getty Images)
Harris had to fight some instability along Pittsburgh's offensive line and turnovers at the quarterback position during his stint with the Steelers. Harris shared passionate comments after the Steelers dropped the game to the Cleveland Browns midway through the 2023 season. The team later moved from offensive coordinator Matt Canada.
The Steelers refused to exercise Harris' fifth year option last year.
Click here to get the Fox News app
Harris expressed excitement about the talent that followed the Chargers' offensive line.
“Identity is what makes a play and the integrity of how it goes,” Harris said. “That's what brought me here, I watch their games all season and see how their O-line works, how good their lines are, how they end, and how integrity they bring.
“I feel that's what theatre thinks is an O-line. They have a good O-line here, so I just want to use it.”
Harris has rushed for 4,312 yards in four seasons with the Steelers. He added 83 yards to the ground in three postseason games.
Follow Fox News Digital's x Sports Coverageand subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
