CBS Sports: Steelers sensational running back to lose his starting position, following the new team’s top overall pick decision.
After the Los Angeles Chargers selected Omarion Hampton in the first round, former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris may lose his starting position.
With Hampton in the building, the Steelers’ plan to acquire a compensation selection for Harris’ probable departure may also change.
With Hampton now in the rotation, Harris, who signed a $5.25 million contract that could be worth over $9 million with incentives, is unlikely to meet many of those goals, which may reduce the compensatory selection value or eliminate the pick entirely.
Although Hampton was selected in the first round of the draft, he will immediately challenge Harris’ position as the starting running back.
Harris, who was selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Steelers from Alabama, was one of just 14 running backs in NFL history to carry for more than 1000 yards in each of his first four seasons. Furthermore, throughout his career, Harris never missed a game.
After Harris darted up in a heavy gap scheme in 2023, his efficiency was poor in the heavy outside zone scheme, which led to the Steelers rejecting his fifth-year option, which would have paid him just under $7 million, last offseason, citing an unclear schematic fit between Harris and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s scheme.
