Is Najee Harris' absence from Steelers schedule release video a sign or coincidence?

The Pittsburgh Steelers dropped their schedule release video at 8:00 p.m. ET on May 15th. This year, the social team went with the 'dad joke' theme as current players tried to get James Harrison to crack a smile. Deebo would not be phased.

Numerous players appeared on set for the Steelers' schedule release video. Some of the most notable names included Russell Wilson, Pat Freiermuth, DeShon Elliott, and Jaylen Warren.

However, one notable Steelers running back did not show up.

Najee Harris was not among the 13 current Pittsburgh Steelers players who popped up in the schedule release video. Is this a sign of things to come or merely a coincidence?

Don't read into the players featured in Steelers' schedule release video

After the Steelers declined to exercise the fifth-year option for running back Najee Harris, many fans assumed that the team is currently making preparations to move on from the former Pro Bowl running back in 2025. While we can't say whether this will or won't be the case, using his lack of appearance in the Steelers schedule release video is baseless.

The social media team grabbed a diverse group of players for their three-minute schedule release video that included starters, backups, and even two players who fell short of making the 53-man roster in 2023 (TE Rodney Williams and DT Breiden Fehoko).

Those reading into Najee's absence must also acknowledge that T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Cameron Heyward, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and George Pickens were all missing from the video as well.

We don't know what the future has in store for Najee Harris. After getting his option declined, he needs to prove himself this season if he wants to earn a contract extension with Pittsburgh in 2025. But I can assure you that his absence from the Steelers 2024 schedule release video had nothing to do with how the team feels about him or his future in Pittsburgh.

You can watch the full Steelers schedule release video below.