The Pittsburgh Steelers have a decision to make on running back Najee Harris this offseason, and team owner Art Rooney II called it a “key” one on Monday.

The Steelers must decide by May 2 whether to exercise their option for a fifth year on Harris’ four-year, $13.047 million rookie contract.

If Pittsburgh picks up its option, it will guarantee Harris a payday of an estimated $6.659 million for the 2025 season. If the Steelers don’t use their option, the former Alabama All-American would be headed toward free agency after the 2024 season.

But Pittsburgh has another avenue to keep Harris out of free agency after next season. Because he’s played three seasons, Harris is eligible for a contract extension.

“A lot of thought, a lot of analysis goes into making those decisions,” Rooney said, “so we’ll be working on that as well as all the other things we have to do in the offseason. That’ll be a key decision as we get closer to the draft in May.”

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Pittsburgh has a vacancy at offensive coordinator, and Rooney said the next coach would need to work to continue to develop Harris and Jaylen Warren.

In 2023, Harris ran for 1,035 yards and eight touchdowns on 255 carries and caught 29 passes for 170 yards. Warren ran for 784 yards and four touchdowns on 149 carries and caught 61 passes for 370 yards.

“I think we have a good rushing attack and two good young running backs,” Rooney said. “Those are things we need to build on. …

“I think our rushing attack, particularly down the stretch, got to the point where it was what we would hope for and had sort of a two-headed monster at running back, which is great to see. Two different styles of back and was an asset for us this year. Those guys really helped us get the kind of success and were able to make the playoffs, and that’s something we want to build on next year.”

Harris also got a vote of confidence from Steelers coach Mike Tomlin in his season-ending press conference.

“He’s been what we needed him to be,” Harris said. “I read a stat: He’s a thousand-yard rusher three straight years and how scarce that is. I just think that speaks to his consistency, availability. He’s been really solid.”

After joining the Steelers as the 24th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Harris became the 18th player in league history to run for 1,000 yards in each of his first three seasons.

With 3,269 rushing and 144 receptions, Harris is on an even shorter list. Only three other players in NFL history have reached those numbers in their first three seasons – Pro Football Hall of Fame members Edgerrin James and LaDainian Tomlinson and former Auburn standout William Andrews.

A two-time 1,000-yard rusher for Alabama, Harris earned unanimous All-American recognition, won the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s best running back and set an SEC single-season touchdown record for the Crimson Tide’s unbeaten CFP national-championship team in 2020.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.