Now that Ezekiel Elliott and the Dallas Cowboys are back together, there is talk that the Cowboys may be trading for a running back from the Pittsburgh Steelers. The rumour mill has been in full swing since the Steelers declared they would not be taking up RB Najee Harris’ fifth-year option.
That being said, there’s always a chance that this is only a rumor. A 93.7 After talking about the early connections, Adam Crowley of The Fan talked about the potential. The Steelers trade rumor is very, very heated right now. As it originates from two guys—one from Fan Sided and the other from Bleacher Report—I’m not sure if it’s the most reliable source. Nor am I sure if it isn’t. Due to the fact that both of those individuals claim to have Steelers contacts, and there is a speculation that the Dallas Cowboys may be open to trade for Najee Harris, Crowley stated on May 6.
Although the prospect is intriguing, the veracity of the reports has already been called into question. Jane Slater of NFL Network swiftly dismissed the development as the product of idle rumors.
Slater stated on X, “Team source tells me this is ‘click bait’ on these Najee Harris and Cowboys reports.” Slater is employed by the NFL, thus it’s difficult to accept the early rumors.
Harris might be departing the Steelers.
Harris’s decision to leave Pittsburgh seems odd at first glance. He was selected for the Pro Bowl in 2021 as a rookie and has completed three seasons with at least 1,200 yards from scrimmage. However, the Steelers already have three reliable running backs, so Harris might be too costly.Harris burst onto the scene in 2021, as Pro Football Reference demonstrates. Despite missing out on the All-Pro team, he made the Pro Bowl with his impressive 1667 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Although Harris hasn’t produced much on average over the last two years since 2021, he has nevertheless been productive. Although Harris has received a lot of touches, his career average of 3.9 yards per rush is low. While not terrible, the production does not lead teams to carry an extra wide receiver. Giving up on a talent like Harris makes more sense than reinvesting in this day and age when running backs are more underappreciated than ever.
This is especially true given that Cordarrelle Patterson’s arrival gives another physical option and Jaylen Warren is the team’s most dynamic RB. Although he may not be as good as Harris these days, Patterson nonetheless adds a similar degree of complexity to the Pittsburgh running game.
Zeke is Returned by Cowboys for Less
The Cowboys may appear unable to afford any potential trade for a running back, but they did not spend much money to re-sign Ezekiel Elliott. Zeke is currently one of Dallas’ lowest-paid players, but he was previously the NFL’s highest-paid running back. Elliott’s 2024 salary is expected to be $2 million, per Spotrac. Elliott’s salary is set at $1.25 million, with additional funds coming from signing and roster bonuses. Zeke is past his peak, but even so, that is an excellent deal for a dependable bruiser RB. Elliott has every reason to try to negotiate for a better offer once his one-year contract expires.
