Najee Harris never lacked for effort. From his high school days in Antioch, California, to steamrolling defenders at Alabama, he was always the guy who put his head down and worked hard. But effort alone doesn’t always guarantee success—especially in the NFL. When Harris entered the league as a first-round pick in 2021, he was expected to be the next great Steelers running back, following in the footsteps of Le’Veon Bell and Franco Harris.
But instead of stepping into a well-oiled offensive machine, he found himself in a post-Ben Roethlisberger transition, running behind a patchwork offensive line and waiting for a system that never seemed to click. By the time his rookie contract was up, he was looking for more—more structure, more leadership, more support. His recent comments about Pittsburgh’s struggles raised eyebrows—and ruffled feathers.
Former NFL linebacker Bart Scott took issue with Najee Harris’s comments. On ESPN’s Get Up, Scott labeled Harris as “ungrateful,” making it clear that Pittsburgh’s consistent playoff appearances should not be taken for granted. “You ungrateful dude,” Scott expressing disbelief over Harris’s remarks. “Listen, how fortunate is it for you to be in the playoffs every year of your career? I mean, that doesn’t just happen, and when you leave, sometimes you realize just how good you had it.” Scott’s response points to the notion that the Steelers’ stability under Mike Tomlin, despite offensive struggles, provided Harris with a valuable environment that he may only fully appreciate in hindsight.
Ex-NFL Pro Bowler blasts Najee Harris for critical Steelers comments: ‘You ungrateful dude’ #Steelers #NFL https://t.co/SAsIAfKWeV
— Blitzburgh (@Blitz_Burgh) March 23, 2025
Najee Harris’s claims painted a picture of an O-line lacking direction and veteran leadership. But, Scott argued that successful organizations maintain structure even in transition. He suggested that instead of looking outward for guidance, Harris should have embraced the opportunity to step up as a leader himself.
Scott’s comments also pointed to the Steelers’ resilient culture, which has ensured no losing seasons under Tomlin’s 18-year reign. While Harris believed he lacked proper support in Pittsburgh, Scott’s stance implies that the team’s ability to consistently compete speaks to the strength of its leadership and locker room. “The veteran guy on that team was a two-three year vet. He’s still learning himself,” Harris said, arguing that this dynamic left him without the guidance he expected.
However, Scott’s rebuttal implied that success in the NFL isn’t about waiting for mentorship but about adapting and thriving within the system provided. Definitely something for Harris to ponder before as begins his tenure with the Chargers.
Najee Harris criticizes lack of leadership at Steelers
For his part, Najee Harris didn’t hold back when talking about his time in Pittsburgh. In an interview with KCAL News, he admitted the offense struggled after Ben Roethlisberger retired at the end of the 2022 season. “We lost Ben, we lost the O-line, we just didn’t know anything on offense really, we didn’t have any identity.” Harris also felt like there wasn’t enough veteran leadership on offense. The most experienced guys had only been in the league for two or three years. That left him looking for advice from defensive players, which wasn’t ideal. “Through my years, I’ve learned a lot that I only learned first-hand.”
Adjusting to a young quarterback like Kenny Pickett wasn’t easy. The offense never really found its rhythm, and Harris felt like it held him back. He appreciated playing under Mike Tomlin. But admitted there were things he wished he had done better during those “interesting years.”
Now with the Chargers, Harris already sees a big difference. He likes having more veteran leadership, especially at quarterback and on the offensive line. He believes this new environment will help him take his game to another level. In his eyes, Los Angeles gives him the mentorship he didn’t have in Pittsburgh.
It will be interesting to see if that mentorship translates into bigger numbers on the field. His performance will either justify or challenge his assessment of the Steelers. Conversely, if he struggles, Scott’s point—that Harris may not realize how good he had it—will only gain more weight. The debate ultimately tells the tension between individual expectations and team realities in the NFL.
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