By May 2, NFL teams must decide whether to activate a fifth-year option on first-round picks in the 2021 NFL draft. The Steelers have two players eligible for this option: quarterback Justin Fields, picked 11th overall by the Chicago Bears, and running back Najee Harris, drafted 24th overall. While the Steelers are probably still assessing the possibilities of Fields’ future with the team, the response

With the first major wave of free agency over with, teams will turn their attention to extending veterans they’d wish to keep beyond 2024. Deciding on fifth-year options is part of this process and owner Art Rooney II and general manager Omar Khan have both touched on this publicly. Both Rooney and Khan essentially told reporters that they respect the work Harris has done, and that a decision will be made by the deadline.

Consider that when Rooney addressed the media at his end-of-season presser, expressing his faith in Kenny Pickett but desire for a quarterback competition, at a time when the team still employed Mitchell Trubisky, Chukwuma Okorafor, Mason Cole, and Pressley Harvin. When Khan spoke at the NFL Scouting Combine, the team had yet to trade away Kenny Pickett and Diontae Johnson, nor had they brought in any of the players they signed or traded for since.

That’s why the current debate about Harris’ fifth-year option is somewhat confusing. Many people believe the Steelers are unlikely to pick up Harris’ option. I don’t think Rooney II and Khan’s words can be used to reach a conclusive judgment. So, where does that sentiment come from? Perhaps that idea came from this graphic from The 33rd Team’s X account?