Najee Harris’ agent refutes reports that RB asked team to decline fifth-year option

Most fans were surprised when the Pittsburgh Steelers decided not to pick starter running back Najee Harris’s fifth-year option at this year’s deadline.

Paul Zeise, a columnist for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and radio host for 93.7 The Fan, provided an explanation for the decision on Thursday. He claimed that a source had told him that Harris had really asked the team to reject his fifth-year option so he could become a free agent in 2025 and potentially play elsewhere. Doug Hendrickson,

Harris’ agent, quickly responded to the accusations on social media by disputing them.

Not only is this not the first rumor about Harris to surface since the Steelers rejected his fifth-year option, but earlier this week, social media warriors were enraged by suggestions that the Dallas Cowboys were considering a trade for Harris;

they clearly need a running back of Harris’ caliber, as there isn’t much depth at the position outside of the soon-to-be 29-year-old Ezekiel Elliott. Nevertheless, those reports have since been denied.

Not only is this not the first rumor about Harris to surface since the Steelers rejected his fifth-year option, but earlier this week, social media warriors were enraged by suggestions that the Dallas Cowboys were considering a trade for Harris; they clearly need a running back of Harris’ caliber, as there isn’t much depth at the position outside of the soon-to-be 29-year-old Ezekiel Elliott. Nevertheless, those reports have since been denied.