The Dallas Cowboys have reconnected with Ezekiel Elliott, but they are now associated with a trade for a Pittsburgh Steelers running back. After the Steelers declared that they were not picking up the fifth-year option on RB Najee Harris‘ contract, there has been widespread speculation.
However, the potential trade might just be a rumor. 93.7 The Fan’s Adam Crowley discussed the initial connections and then talked about the possibility.
“So here’s the hot, hot, hot Steelers trade rumor. It comes from one guy from Fan Sided and the other guy from Bleacher Report, so I’m not sure if it’s the most credible thing. I also don’t know if it’s not, because both of those guys say they have Steelers sources, and the rumor is this: The Dallas Cowboys could be interested in trading for Najee Harris,” Crowley said on May 6.
While the possibility is exciting, the validity of the reports has already been questioned. NFL Network’s Jane Slater responded to the development by quickly claiming it is just the rumor mill at work.
“On these Najee Harris and Cowboys reports, team source tells me ‘click bait,'” Slater wrote on X.
Considering that Slater works for the NFL, it’s hard to believe the initial reports.
Harris Could Be Leaving Steelers
On the surface, Harris leaving Pittsburgh doesn’t make sense. He made the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2021 and has totaled 1200+ yards from scrimmage in each of his three seasons. But the reality is that the Steelers have three viable RBs and Harris might be too expensive.
As Pro Football Reference shows, Harris made a big impact in 2021, with 1667 total yards and 10 touchdowns, making the Pro Bowl but missing out on the All-Pro squad.
In the past two years since 2021, Harris has still been productive but the averages aren’t great. Harris has been given a lot of touches, but has only averaged 3.9 yards per rush in his career.
That’s not terrible, but it’s not the kind of production that leads teams to extend a RB. In an era where RBs are more undervalued than ever, choosing to move on from a player like Harris makes more sense than reinvesting.
This is especially true considering that Jaylen Warren is the team’s most dynamic RB, and the addition of Cordarrelle Patterson brings another physical option. Patterson may not be at Harris’ level anymore, but he provides a similar dimension to the Pittsburgh running game.
Cowboys Bring Back Zeke for Cheap
Any potential move for an RB may seem out of the Cowboys’ budget, but Dallas spent very little on bringing back Ezekiel Elliott. Zeke was once the highest-paid RB in the NFL, but is now one of Dallas’ most affordable contracts.
According to Spotrac, Elliott is set to make $2 million for the 2024 season. Elliott will make $1.25 million in salary, and will receive the rest via his signing and roster bonuses.
Although Zeke is past his prime, that is great value for a reliable physical RB. Plus, there is plenty of motivation for Elliott to try and earn a better deal after his one-year contract is up.
