Mike Tomlin took one major move among many this offseason. He released Justin Fields, and later, Najee Harris also caught a bus from the Steel City finally on Monday. The 27-year-old ex-Pittsburgh Steelers RB hit the free agent market before signing with the Los Angeles Chargers. Harris, via Next Gen Stats, “remained a tough runner to bring down in 2024, forcing 70 missed tackles (12th-most in NFL).” In addition, since 2021, the athlete has “forced the 3rd-most missed tackles in the NFL (285),” after Derrick Henry and Josh Jacobs (each tied up at 334).
But now, the Chargers have acquired Harris to a one-year deal. As per the reports, he is now set to earn around $9.25 million, with a signing bonus of $3.75 million and a fully-guaranteed base salary of $1.5 million. Najee Harris has finally got what he wanted, at least for now. But what about Mike Tomlin? I mean the man is still searching for a replacement for the piece he lost. And guess what? He might have found one!
According to NFL Insider, Jordan Schultz on X, “With Najee Harris headed to the Chargers, Kenneth Gainwell will immediately step in and play a key role in the #Steelers’ backfield — alongside Jaylen Warren and Cordarrelle Patterson.” Mike Tomlin and his franchise “are finalizing a 1-year with former #Eagles RB Kenneth Gainwell.”
With Najee Harris headed to the Chargers, Kenneth Gainwell will immediately step in and play a key role in the #Steelers’ backfield — alongside Jaylen Warren and Cordarrelle Patterson. https://t.co/8EDLbDQKQ6
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 12, 2025
Kenneth Gainwell had hit the free agency market this year after his rookie contract expired. But now, during the negotiation days with unrestricted free agents, Mike Tomlin and the Steelers came forward to offer Gainwell a deal. With this, Gainwell joined a list of players who departed during the legal tampering period – Josh Sweat, Milton Williams, and Isaiah Rodgers.
No doubt, Mike Tomlin and Pittsburgh was in a need for a key running back after Najee Harris’s exit. And so, Gainwell can be a perfect fit for the team – thanks to him for maintaining a second-string role for one of the league’s best rushing attacks. The proof? It’s his stats! The 25-year-old had recorded 1,906 total yards and 13 TDs in four years with the Eagles. In addition, he holds a career 4.2-yard average. Now, with the RB and also their latest move, DK Metcalf, these players are coming in as gifts for the Steel City. But the major problem still lies visible for all (perhaps invisible for Tomlin & team).
A reality check for Mike Tomlin and the Steelers!
The Steelers are perhaps the only team who doesn’t have a signed QB. And it seems, Mike Tomlin will be moving ahead in the season with an alternative – as the placekicker Chris Boswell proposed. Day-by-day it’s getting late, and till now, the Steelers aren’t able to eye on a reliable QB for their future. They released Justin Fields and are soon going to be over with Russell Wilson. So, who’s next? Perhaps, Tomlin has other plans – to draft a new QB if not a veteran. But this broling tension has definitely made many frustrated, including Stephen A. Smith.
On ESPN’s First Take, host Smith took a jab on Mike Tomlin and the Steelers on their quarterback situation. He compared the latest scene with the Browns’s surprising move of Myles Garrett, and said, “I don’t disagree with y’all about the Cleveland Browns, but I think the Steelers’ situation is just as cumbersome to say the least.” Not only that! The TV host handed a reality check to the franchise and their HC by saying, “Mike Tomlin won a Super Bowl in 2008, they lost in 2010, ain’t been back to the Super Bowl since. Fine, no problem. But to not have won a [playoff game] since 2016? To having five straight years of being one-and-done, and it’s been nine years since you won a playoff game. These are the Steelers we’re talking about, here. One of the most storied franchises in NFL history.”
With acquiring quarterbacks every offseason and not giving them the chance to grow further – the Steelers might be not sure what they want. But many think they would draft a QB who can help them get their goals. However, that too seems unrealistic. Why? Well, Smith explained it – “We really also have to debate what level of mediocrity we want to embrace. Because when you’re middle of the road, you can’t really get a high-end draft pick because you’re not stinking up the joint. And obviously, you ain’t winning championships, so what difference does it make?”
The blame is all on Mike Tomlin. And sometimes leaving the podium or press conferences in between doesn’t give the answer which the team wants.
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