NFL News: Najee Harris receives strong warning from former teammate after calling out Mike Tomlin, Steelers

Najee Harris got what he wanted by leaving the Pittsburgh Steelers to sign a one-year, $9.5 million deal with the Los Angeles Chargers ahead of the 2025 NFL season. The running back, however, continued to show his frustration with Mike Tomlin and company after leaving the Steel City.

Unsurprisingly, Harris’ criticism didn’t sit well with his former teammates. During a recent appearance on Christin Kuntz’s podcast, Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth revealed he talked to the running back about it.

“It’s going to be tough, but I’m happy for [Harris] and his new opportunity,” Freiermuth said. “I didn’t agree with the way he went out. I called him about it, and we talked. Every guy is different.”

Freiermuth and Harris were part of the same draft class, with both being selected by the Steelers in 2021. They will face each other for the first time in the NFL this year, and even though Freiermuth knows Harris will be locked in, he warned the running back that Pittsburgh will play even tougher.

Pat Freiermuth #88 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on prior to a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 16, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

“…We play L.A. this year. You know he’s going to be running hard—but we’re going to be hitting him harder,” Freiermuth warned Harris, with the Steelers set to visit the Chargers in the 2025 NFL season.

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Harris’ criticism of Tomlin after leaving Steelers

Harris never hid his displeasure with the way the Steelers’ offense worked, with the running back often calling out the coaches after games. Even after signing with the Chargers, the 27-year-old took a shot at Tomlin.

“We just didn’t know anything on offense really,” Harris said. “We didn’t have any identity. We had a young guy coming in at QB. I really didn’t have nobody to almost learn from on the offensive side.”

A new-look offense for the Steelers in 2025

The Steelers’ offense will look different in the 2025 NFL season, with the team adding an interesting weapon in wide receiver DK Metcalf. But they still have an important decision to make at quarterback.

Tomlin and company are still waiting for Aaron Rodgers to provide a definitive answer about his future, though the Draft could also see them land a new QB. In the meantime, Mason Rudolph is giving the team some insurance at the position.