Cowboys Shoot Down Najee Harris Trade Rumors
The Dallas Cowboys were floated as a trade option for Steelers RB Najee Harris but all of that was shot down by Cowboys reporter Jane Slater.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have declined the fifth-year option of running back Najee Harris, leaving the future of their running back open to speculation, but the idea that the Steelers could trade Harris to the Dallas Cowboys has been aggressive shot down by a Cowboys reporter.
With the Steelers declining Harris’ fifth-year option, he is now set to hit the free agent market in 2025, when co-starter Jaylen Warren is also going to be restricted free agent. Cordarrelle Patterson is under contract for the next two seasons. The Steelers control his rights and will have the right of first refusal with Warren, but they will likely have to pay him more in 2025 than they are now in his rookie contract. An extension for Harris could materialize, as well, but that seems murkier.
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Because it seems likely that Harris will move on from Pittsburgh after the 2024 season, trade rumors have circulated, and specifically to the Dallas Cowboys. It all started with one article when John Buhler of Fansided recently examined this scenario, projecting a 2025 fourth-round trade from Dallas in exchange for Harris. Since then, it took off as rumors.
The Cowboys are a running back-needy team, with Tony Pollard now employed by the Tennessee Titans. Dallas just recently signed Ezekiel Elliott back, but he doesn’t fully move the needle at this career stage.
But a Cowboys source told plugged-in Cowboys reporter Jane Slater that the rumors of Harris being traded to Dallas were all ‘clickbait,’ which makes sense given that Buhler states no sources have told him anything regarding a trade. He is simply going through a scenario that could benefit the Cowboys. It seems likely the Steelers will not move Harris, either, likely holding onto him for the final year of his contract with the team.
Harris became the first player in Steelers history to run for 1,000 or more yards in each of the first three seasons of his career. In 2023, Harris had the best season of his career in terms of yards per carry as he rushed 255 times for 1,035 yards — a 4.1 yards per carry average — and he scored eight touchdowns. Harris had rushed for 3.9 and 3.8 yards per carry in his first two seasons. He had his most efficient season yet in 2023. Harris’ rushing yards of expectation, yards per carry, and broken tackles per carry were all careers highs.
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