Steelers lose both James Daniels and Najee Harris in free agency

The first day of the NFL’s legal tampering period is almost complete, but not without the Pittsburgh Steelers losing more of their own free agents. On the day, where the time to sign players started at 12pm EST, the Steelers have already lost Dan Moore Jr., Justin Fields, Donte Jackson, and now you can add two more names to that list.

The first name was right guard James Daniels, who is joining the Miami Dolphins.

According to Tom Pelissero the deal is for 3-years and worth $24 million dollars.

This is one of those situations where you are happy for the player for getting paid, considering the way his 2024 season ended. Daniels ruptured his Achilles tendon early in the season, and missed the remainder of the season as he had surgery and rehabbed the injury. Whenever a player suffers a season-ending injury in a contract year is always difficult to see, but Daniels gets himself a nice contract to play in Miami.

The next player to jettison to warmer weather was Najee Harris returning back to his home state of California to play for the Los Angeles Chargers.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter the deal is just a one-year deal and worth up to $9.25 million.

Unlike the way Daniels entered free agency, Harris has been the image of stability and durability. However, the amount he received from the Chargers is just north of the roughly $7 million the Steelers could have paid him if they picked up his 5th year option prior to the 2024 regular season.

Harris gets a fresh start in a run-first system on a prove-it one-year deal.

The Steelers now turn their attention at right guard to Mason McCormick entering his second year, and after they placed a 2nd Round tender on Jaylen Warren it seems he’ll be their anchor in the backfield this upcoming season.

There will be more moves made, so be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the rest of free agency, and the 2025 NFL Draft.