Mark Madden's Hot Take: Najee Harris hasn't been a problem yet, but is trouble looming with Steelers?

Ever since the Steelers declined the fifth-year option for the contract of running back Najee Harris, there’s been an underlying assumption that Harris is going to be a problem.

But Harris hasn’t said anything to that end, or sent bad signals via social media.

There was a report that Harris asked the Steelers to decline his option by way of getting to free agency ASAP. But it’s difficult to believe that Harris would push away the chance to make $6.7 million. Anyway, why would the Steelers do what Harris wants?

Harris’ agent denied, going overboard in the process. That makes me give the report more credence: Thou dost protest too much.

Harris is playing for his next contract. He has to compete hard. If he doesn’t, Jaylen Warren can usurp more snaps and Harris will be in the UFL before long.

But there’s still a feeling that Harris could be a problem.

That’s the residue of the Steelers’ culture being too selfish for too long. That dates back to the emergence of Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell. Those two departed but that selfishness stayed, perpetuated by JuJu Smith-Schuster, Chase Claypool and, more recently, George Pickens and Diontae Johnson. (It’s always the receivers.)

Johnson is gone, but Pickens isn’t. (Double coverage caused by lack of a No. 2 receiver will make Pickens’ head explode like a pinata within the first five weeks of the coming season.)

Bad culture runs deep, especially when it’s been around for over a decade and the same laissez-faire coach is in charge.

That’s why it’s assumed that Harris will be a problem. He’s in a situation where other Steelers before him caused problems.

Some say the Steelers don’t have a culture problem, and never have.

Right. That’s why they haven’t won a playoff game in seven years despite a roster dotted with star-caliber players and, until 2022, a Hall-of-Fame quarterback. Because everything is hunky-dory.

Harris could yet stir the pot: Given his contract status, he could be a hold-in throughout the preparation process leading up to the season, declining to fully participate by way of protecting his free agency and finagling a new contract. Which he won’t get.

The hold-in is a Steelers tradition, and it always works: Cam Heyward, T.J. Watt and Johnson got what they wanted contractually by refusing full participation into some point at training camp, Heyward so quietly that few noticed.

Harris would be out over his skis if he tried a hold-in, especially since his fifth-year option got declined. Harris just isn’t that good. But we assume trouble with the Steelers because it’s so often forthcoming.