Steelers Najee Harris on Mitchell Trubisky “Mitch is really cool. He’s open to everything”

[Steeler Nation]

The Pittsburgh Steelers were in the market for a starting quarterback for the first time in 18-years heading into free agency. They were losing Ben Roethlisberger, and part of the transition from him was the shift in leadership on the team. It’s something that Roethlisberger himself tried to pass along to the younger players last year. To get them ready for the void they would need to fill when he left. Roethlisberger had seen past super stars leave, the likes of Troy Polamalu, Joey Porter, Hines Ward, Jerome Bettis. He knew that it was going to be a transition. And with that he turned his attention to rookie running back Najee Harris.

Photo / Twitter – JSKO_PHOTO


From the time Harris was drafted Roethlisberger was involved with Harris. He quickly invited Harris to his house for dinner so the two could get to know each other. Knowing the type of reputation that Harris had, Roethlisberger knew that Harris would take on the leadership role quickly. His personality is fit for it, and his work ethic was one that others could look up to as they entered the building. Way back last summer Roethlisberger shared the news that 2021 would likely be his last, and he asked Harris to help him try to go out as a winner. A Super Bowl didn’t happen, but Harris helped keep the Steelers afloat when Roethlisberger’s arm couldn’t.

With Roethlisberger gone, and no real leader on the offensive line, the role will turn to Harris full time in 2022. He will be the person on offense that everyone will look to to lead them. And the Steelers brass knows that. That’s why they included Harris on what they were expecting to do with the quarterback position this off-season.

“They called me when they confirmed they got (Trubisky),” Harris said. “All throughout it, they kept me in the loop of who they were getting.”

The Steelers of course came to an agreement with Mitchell Trubisky hours after the tampering period of free agency opened. Once Trubisky was in town Harris didn’t waste any time going to meet his new quarterback.

“Right when we picked him up and he signed, I flew out there that day from Houston,” Harris told Brooke Pryor of ESPN. “I was there for at least 8 hours to chill with him and chop it up with him. We exchanged numbers, and we’ve been talking ever since. We were with each other in Florida and we’re here now with each other.

Harris accepted an invitation from Trubisky to join him at his Florida residence a few weeks ago. Many members of the team flew down and worked out together for the weekend. One of the most important aspects of a football team is their chemistry.

“Mitch is really cool. He’s open to everything. He’s trying to understand who he has around him with players. Just how things are. He’s embracing his role pretty good. He has an opportunity to play, so he’s embracing that.”

Trubisky reportedly chose the Steelers over the New York Giants, because he knew that the door was completely open for him to start. He will have competition with Mason Rudolph, and likely a rookie. While no coaches have came out and said it, it’s basically a forgone conclusion that Trubisky will be the guy.

It will be important for Trubisky to lean on Harris. The offense will only succeed if Harris is the focal point. Let Trubisky do just enough, and let the offense run through Harris. That will be what they need to do to be successful.

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