In the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, the Steelers selected former Alabama star running back Najee Harris with the hopes of solving some problems in the run game.
On Tuesday, Harris, 23, offically became the newest member of the Steelers by signing his rookie contract, after participating in the first OTA session of the offseason earlier in the day.
The 6-foot-1, 232-pound, No. 24 signed a deal that, according to Spotrac projections, is worth $13 million with a signing bonus of $6.8 million. Financial terms of the contact were not released.
Harris was a two-year starter at Alabama and is the school’s all-time leader in total touchdowns (57) and rushing touchdowns (46). Harris is also Alabama’s all-time leading rusher with 3,843 yards, and is second in Crimson Tide history with 4,624 all-purpose yards.
In 2020, Harris racked up 1,466 yards and 26 touchdowns on the ground. He helped Alabama take home its third national title in six years and he was named the 2020 Doak Walker Award Winner.
Harris is the seventh rookie of the class to sign with the Steelers, with only second-round tight end Pat Freiermuth and third-round center Kendrick Green yet to sign.