4 Steelers who need to play better heading into Week 3
By Andrew Falce
Steelers Najee Harris
Expectations were sky-high for Najee Harris entering the season, but he has started the year at a snail’s pace. Through two games, he only has 83 rushing yards and 130 total yards, and one touchdown. That isn’t good enough for a running back that was drafted in the first round, and he needs to start playing like the elite player that he has the talent to be.
Yes, the offensive line has done him no favors, but that excuse only goes so far. If Harris needs a great line to run behind, why did the team invest in him before a line? At the end of the day, the Steelers believe that Harris could be a difference-maker no matter what type of a line he is running behind. It is time for him to prove that as true, as his slow start hasn’t helped the offense in the slightest.
Similar to Roethlisberger, Harris doesn’t have to go crazy this week to get his season on the right track. Instead, a solid 150 total yards and a touchdown would be enough to trend his stock in a positive way. At the bare minimum, he needs to have a few big runs for the offense. His line isn’t going to get much better in 2021, so it is up to Harris to save his rookie season from being a disappointment.