Steelers to lighten the workload on RB Najee Harris in Year 2

Najee Harris — by far — led all NFL running backs in offensive snaps played last season.

He led the league in touches, too.

But after shouldering so much of the load for the Pittsburgh Steelers offense as a rookie first-round draft pick in 2021, Harris expects to receive a relative break in Year 2.

“We are doing that a lot this year (that) I will not be on the field, I guess, (as much),” Harris said Tuesday before the first day of Steelers minicamp at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. “I will be on the field a lot — but on certain downs, I will not be on the field. Just (pick my spots), I guess. Extra rest.”

Coach Mike Tomlin long has embraced a philosophy of a “workhorse” running back, sticking to that way of thinking even as the approach of much of the rest of the NFL has shifted over his 15-plus years as Steelers coach. While most teams tend to rotate running backs or use at least two in tandem, the Steelers — from Willie Parker to Rashard Mendenhall to Le’Veon Bell, James Conner and, now, Harris —have tended to use their backs on all three downs while rarely taking a series off.

Last year, Harris’ 980 snaps were 170 more than the league’s second-most relied-upon back, Ezekiel Elliott of the Dallas Cowboys. No. 3 among running backs was All-Pro and NFL rushing champion Jonathan Taylor, who played 768 offensive snaps for the Indianapolis Colts.

That means Harris played a hefty 28% more offensive snaps than all but one of the entirety of the NFL’s running backs.

“I am taking time off,” Harris said in his first remarks to the media since winter. “I will not be on the field for certain plays. We’re still going to talk about that, though. I do want to play. A lot. … Any time I can. But at the same time, it’s all about being smart. So I understand where (Steelers offensive coaches) are coming from.”

#Steelers RB Najee Harris leads the #NFL in touches with 297 through 13 games. So, is it feelin' it yet? Nope.https://t.co/I76ia6pccs

— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) December 18, 2021

Harris’ 381 touches last season were nine more than the league runner-up in that category, Taylor. Harris was on the field for a whopping 83.5% of the Steelers’ offensive plays, well above the 68.9% than No. 2 in that category, Taylor.

Harris 307 carries were second in the league to Taylor’s 332 — but Harris’ 74 receptions led all running backs; the 94 targeted throws his direction tied for the NFL lead.

All this from a player who accumulated 638 carries and 718 touches over his college career at Alabama, including an aggregate 530 touches over his junior and senior seasons. Harris was second in the country in carries and touches in 2020.

Then again, with a lower body built like tree trunks, Harris would seem to be capable of carrying such a load on his 232-pound frame.

Or is that frame 242 pounds? Er, 244?

“You all making it seem like I’m just fat as (heck),” Harris quipped to reporters when asked about his weight Tuesday.

Harris said he played at 242 pounds last season and intends to do the same as an NFL sophomore.

“I was listed at 232, (but) I haven’t weighed 232 since (his second-to-last college game against) Notre Dame,” Harris said. “I was 242 last year, and now I am 244. But… you are always heavier in (summer workouts) than you play in the season. So, I am going to play at 242.”

Harris’ weight has become something of a curiosity after photographs from organized team activities circulated of his thighs perhaps appearing larger than they did last season.

Tomlin in the past has preferred his running backs to be leaner to preserve their quickness. Tuesday, though, Tomlin expressed satisfaction with Harris’ weight.

“He’s exactly what he was … at the end of last year,” Tomlin said Tuesday. “I have no issues at all. Nothing really to add. No color.”

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