Everyone is focused on the 2024 NFL Draft, and those who aren’t focused on the 3-day process at the end of the month are looking at potential free agents who the Steelers could add between now and then.

But can we talk about a decision the team will have to make on two players before May 2nd? That decision is the 5th year option decision for any first round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

For the Steelers, their selection that year was Najee Harris out of Alabama, but their recent trade with the Chicago Bears netted them 2021 11th overall pick Justin Fields. That means the Steelers will have to make a decision on both players.

The last time this type of decision took place was two years ago when the Steelers had to make the decision on Terrell Edmunds and Minkah Fitzpatrick’s 5th year options. Edmunds was declined, and Fitzpatrick was picked up. We all knew that was coming, but what about the decisions to be made?

Let’s first take a look at how much these options will be:

Najee Harris: $6.79 million dollars

Justin Fields: $25.664 million dollars

Let’s talk about Fields first. Clearly, the Steelers are unlikely to pick up such a hefty salary cap hit for a player who has no clear role as the starter at this time. But let’s not throw out the idea of the Steelers trying to make a deal with Fields. Assuming the Steelers decline the option doesn’t mean the team can’t negotiate a new deal with Fields to keep him in Pittsburgh for the next few seasons.

If the Steelers value Fields, and feel he is the quarterback of the future, they could easily give him a 2-year extension, locking him up to a team-friendly deal for the next three seasons, including 2024. There is a risk with extending a contract to a player who might not play much this year if Russell Wilson plays well. But there is also a risk in having to pay more than expected for Fields if he plays, and plays well, in the Arthur Smith offense.

Don’t rule out the Steelers doing their best to lock up Fields without picking up the 5th year option.

When you’re talking about Najee Harris’ option, to me it’s a no-brainer. Harris has been durable, productive, and keeping him at less than $7 million a year is a worthwhile investment. Could the Steelers look to extend Harris beyond the 5th year option? They absolutely could give him an extension and lessen the cap hit, if they so choose. However, it isn’t customary for the Steelers to give out new contracts to running backs. In fact, if you don’t count 5th year options the last running back to get a second contract with the Steelers was Verron Haynes.

Yes, Verron Haynes.

Everyone has a unique take on Harris as a player and leader on the team, but you can’t deny his impact on the team. With the insertion of Jaylen Warren into the lineup it has allowed Harris to do more of what he does best, and less of what he struggles with in pass protection and running routes out of the backfield.

So, to sum all this up, what do I think the Steelers should do?

I’d decline Justin Fields’ 5th year option, but try hard to sign him to a team-friendly extension after the 2024 season.

I’d pick up Harris’ 5th year option, and try to also sign him to an extension go keep him in Pittsburgh beyond the 2024 season.

Will these moves be popular with the fan base? No, but they are the type of moves which can signify an offense which is moving forward by keeping the young talent they have on their roster.