Najee Harris Makes Official Visit to Seattle Seahawks Amid 2024 NFL Free Agency Negotiations
Key keywords: Najee Harris, Seattle Seahawks, 2024 NFL Free Agency, running back position, Pittsburgh Steelers, free agent official visit, Seahawks offensive upgrade, NFL offseason roster moves. The 2024 NFL offseason has delivered one of its most talked-about free agency developments, as former Pittsburgh Steelers first-round running back Najee Harris has arrived at the Seattle Seahawks’ Virginia Mason Athletic Center for a formal, multi-day visit with the franchise’s front office and coaching staff. Selected 24th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, Harris spent his first four professional seasons in Pittsburgh, emerging as one of the league’s most durable, versatile three-down running backs. Across 64 regular season games with the Steelers, he recorded 4,105 rushing yards, 26 rushing touchdowns, 1,084 receiving yards, and 12 receiving touchdowns, averaging 4.2 yards per carry over his career. He played 97% of the Steelers’ offensive snaps during his first two seasons, proving his ability to handle a heavy workload without frequent injury. After the Steelers opted not to place the franchise tag on Harris earlier this offseason, he entered the open market as one of the top available running backs, drawing interest from over half a dozen teams across the league. For the Seahawks, the visit comes as the franchise prioritizes upgrading its underperforming run game, which ranked 27th in the NFL last season with just 3.9 yards per carry and only 8 rushing touchdowns all year. Seattle’s current running back room is led by Kenneth Walker III, who has shown explosive playmaking ability but has struggled with durability, missing 11 games over the past two seasons, and DeeJay Dallas, who is primarily a pass-catching specialist. Harris’ skill set fills a clear gap: his ability to break tackles, gain yards after contact, and line up as a receiver out of the backfield aligns perfectly with offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb’s scheme, which relies heavily on balanced play calling and short-pass options for quarterback Geno Smith. Multiple league sources confirm that the Seahawks have approximately $14.7 million in remaining salary cap space for the 2024 season, enough to accommodate Harris’ reported contract demands of a 3-year deal worth $9 to $11 million annually. The visit is expected to include a full physical examination, a deep dive into the team’s playbook, and extended meetings with head coach Mike Macdonald, general manager John Schneider, and the rest of the offensive coaching staff to assess mutual fit. While the Steelers remain in contact with Harris’ agent to discuss a potential return, the Seahawks are the first team to host him for an official visit, signaling their high level of interest in securing his services ahead of the 2024 regular season. Fans across the Pacific Northwest have already taken to social media to voice their support for a potential signing, noting that Harris’ physical playstyle and leadership experience would bring much-needed stability to Seattle’s offense.
Featured Comments
As a lifelong Seahawks fan, I’ve been begging for a reliable three-down running back for two full seasons. Najee is the exact fit we need — he can run through tackles, catch out of the backfield, and take so much pressure off Geno Smith. Please don’t let him leave the facility without a signed contract, John Schneider!
It hurts to see Najee visiting another team, but the Steelers lowballed him hard. He carried our entire offense for years when our offensive line was absolute garbage, he deserves every dollar he’s asking for. If Seattle signs him, they’re getting a consistent workhorse who will show up ready to play every single week.
This is such a smart strategic move for the Seahawks. Their run game was their biggest weakness last season, and Najee’s durability and pass-catching ability fit perfectly with Ryan Grubb’s offensive scheme. If they can lock him in on a 3-year, $30 million deal, that’s an absolute steal for a player of his caliber.
I’m curious to see how this plays out. Najee had a bit of a down year last season, but almost all of that was due to Pittsburgh’s terrible O-line play. Put him behind Seattle’s much-improved offensive line, and I think he easily bounces back to his 2021-2022 production levels immediately.