'I know what I can do': Steelers running back Najee Harris has his day in the sun

Brian Batko / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

LAS VEGAS — As long and winding as some of his big runs were Sunday, Steelers star Najee Harris took just as many twists and turns in his postgame news conference.

Harris wasn’t exactly comfortable behind the podium, but he had a podium kind of game with 106 yards on 14 carries, highlighted by a 36-yard touchdown scamper that gave the Steelers breathing room in a 32-13 win against the Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Eventually, he made his way to an end zone of catharsis — sort of.

“Sorry I can’t make every game like that,” Harris said with a smile. “I know y’all are just waiting to type something about me. I’m gonna try to do it again next game. It was just one of those games where [expletive] started working good.”

The relief for Harris was palpable inside a building that has become a friendly spot for the West Coast native. He played in a Pro Bowl here after his rookie season, he won here last year with the Steelers, and now he’s got this performance under his belt.

Harris floated from the 5-yard line to the pylon at the end of his touchdown run and just barely got the tip of the ball across the goal line. He broke the plane and the dam broke for the Steelers’ No. 1 running back at long last.

“I know what I can do,” Harris said. “I don’t know what y’all are trying to get out of me. ... I’m not good at interviewing, man, because I’m actually too honest with what I say and have no filter.”

There have been flashes, of course — enough for three consecutive seasons of 1,000-plus yards to start his NFL career. But Harris averaged 7.6 yards per carry Sunday, his highest in a game since he entered the league. His previous high was 6.7 when he romped to 188 yards to help beat the Browns as a rookie.

It wasn’t necessarily trending to be that kind of day for Harris. He had just 31 yards on seven carries at halftime. But by the end, he ripped off runs of 14, 15, 26 and 36 yards, plus had a couple catches for 16 more.

“He works his ass off every single day, comes in the building every day with a smile on his face, ready to work,” said tight end Pat Freiermuth, who’s been with Harris every step of the way as members of the 2021 draft class. “Seeing it pay off in this game, we really leaned on him and it was just awesome to see. Very happy for him.”

Harris hasn’t had the easiest season. First the Steelers declined his fifth-year option. Then he found himself facing defenses that packed the box against him.

He entered Vegas averaging just 3.3 yards per rush and 54 yards per game, both career lows. Really every statistic has been brutal for Harris, but Sunday, he appeared to be having as much fun as he’s had on the field in a long time.

It also might be the most Harris has looked like his longtime mentor, former Raiders and Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch, who was in attendance. Lynch, a fellow Bay Area product, has his own Beast Mode brand store about a 15-minute walk from where the Raiders play, inside the Mandalay Bay shopping center.

Harris spent some time chatting with Lynch and gave him a shoutout after the game. One of the people congratulating Harris the most throughout the game was Russell Wilson, Lynch’s old quarterback in Seattle. The stars aligned for a highlight-filled afternoon.

“Whatever he did this week, hopefully he comes back and does the same thing next week,” said his current quarterback, Justin Fields. 

With light streaming in through the floor-to-wall stadium windows, Harris had his day in the sun. Tough runs, nimble runs, one giant leap and — at least for one game — a weight was lifted.

“I don't put any type of restraints on what I can do,” Harris said.

He was talking specifically about his lunge for the score, but the overall message felt bigger than just that one play for an often-criticized, always-complex Harris.

“I don't really care what other people say or think,” he said. “When I had the opportunity, I just took it. I didn't care if I was however far away. I know I can make it when I really believe in myself.”

And then he stood tall, flexing his muscles as a sea of Terrible Towels twirled around him.