NFL Analysis
1/23/25
5 min read
2025 NFL Free Agency: Top Landing Spots for Steelers RB Najee Harris
It might be time for a change of scenery for Najee Harris.
Despite four straight seasons with at least 1,000 rushing yards for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the lack of efficiency and the emergence of Jaylen Warren could mean that Harris plays elsewhere in 2025. He will hit unrestricted free agency this offseason, allowing him to test the open market and hope for a long-term deal.
The good news for Harris is that there are a handful of teams in need of a running back who could be eager to take one in the 2025 NFL Draft while signing a veteran to help distribute the workload. Let's take a look at a few teams that would make a lot of sense.
Najee Harris 2025 Landing Spots
Las Vegas Raiders 
While the Las Vegas Raiders fanbase is focused on determining the next quarterback, another question is who will be their starting running back.
Sincere McCormick showed some flashes this season, but the Raiders need someone who can handle a heavy workload, especially with Ameer Abdullah and Alexander Mattison hitting free agency.
Harris could be a logical fit for the Raiders. They desperately need someone who can play the position after ranking dead last in yards before contact per rush and 31st in yards after contact. They also have $94 million in cap space, the second-most space of any NFL team, to sign some veterans.
The Raiders have other pressing needs on their roster, so they can focus on using their draft picks elsewhere while taking a flier on Harris to see if he can boost their run game without breaking the bank.
Dallas Cowboys 
Jerry Jones may not have a head coach yet, but it's clear that the Dallas Cowboys need to completely overhaul their running back room, regardless of who is running the show.
Aging veterans like Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook didn't move the needle for Dallas this season, while Rico Dowdle looked like a serviceable rotational player. However, none of their running back options had the juice to hit the hole with explosiveness. That, combined with an average offensive line, explains why they finished 31st in yards before contact per rush.
The Cowboys need a reliable running back who's been in the league for a while, even if they plan to draft another running back early. Harris has been nothing if not reliable in his NFL career, playing 17 games in all four seasons with Pittsburgh.
Harris could serve as a mentor for a top rookie running back while still having a role with a significant workload in 2025.
Minnesota Vikings 
Kevin O'Connell is one of the best offensive minds in the NFL, and he knows a thing or two about utilizing veteran running backs.
The Minnesota Vikings brought Aaron Jones in on a one-year deal, and he has an instant impact on their offense. He ran the ball 255 times for 1,138 yards and five touchdowns, adding another 408 yards and two scores as a pass catcher out of the backfield.
Now that Jones is a free agent, Harris could be a fun replacement for him. The former first-round pick has been heavily utilized in the passing game in the past, including a 74-catch season as a rookie in 2021. In his four NFL seasons, he's caught 180 passes for 1,149 yards and six touchdowns.
Harris could come to Minnesota and take on an increased workload in the run game while still providing value as a pass-catching threat. This might be the dream landing spot for Harris, provided that the Vikings are able to get a fair deal for the upcoming free agent.
Los Angeles Chargers 
Jim Harbaugh and the Los Angeles Chargers helped resurrect J.K. Dobbins' career this past season. However, Dobbins is back in free agency after signing just a one-year deal, opening the door for another veteran running back to step in.
Dobbins turned his career around after years of injuries, rushing for 905 yards and nine touchdowns after playing just nine games from 2021 through 2023. He had a strong season, but the Chargers could be looking for a more sustainable long-term veteran.
A run-heavy scheme could be a perfect spot for Harris, who has the durability and toughness to play in a between-the-tackles run game like LA's with offensive coordinator Greg Roman. On top of that, the Chargers also have an ascending young offensive line, highlighted by their two tackles, Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt.
Harris could slot in nicely as a Dobbins replacement while the Chargers consider taking a late-round flier in a running back-loaded draft class. They have $64 million in cap space, so they could send Harris a competitive offer to potentially outbid other teams trying to acquire the consistent veteran running back.
