Much of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offseason plan will revolve around the quarterback position. With Russell Wilson and Justin Fields set to hit free agency, it’s clear that only one – if any – will return, and there are numerous veteran options waiting for Pittsburgh on the open market.
Fans may be more willing for new blood in the quarterback room after the team collapsed down the stretch, losing five consecutive games, concluding with a Wild Card Round embarrassment against the rival Baltimore Ravens. As poorly as Wilson played down the stretch, the passing offense wasn’t solely to blame.
While both passers exceeded expectations early in their Pittsburgh tenures, neither one was built to last; not with the Steelers’ poor receiving corps, and not without a functioning ground game.
Pittsburgh’s attack, led by offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, demands a strong run game and will stubbornly attempt to find when, especially on early downs. Here, the offense struggled, regardless of who was under center. By expected points added per rush, they ranked 24th in the NFL. By success rate, only four teams were worse.
Thus, fans may be more willing to tear down the running back room and build it up in the coming months. With Key Steelers weapon Najee Harris expected to hit free agency, there’s a natural pivot to younger options with more upside.
Harris, if nothing else, was consistent. He made the Pro Bowl as a rookie, where he looked to be at his most explosive, but even as his athleticism took a step back, he continued to churn out 1,000-yard campaigns. Harris hit that mark in each of his first four seasons, even as he ceded playing time to Jaylen Warren.
Warren is also a free agent, although as a restricted free agent his fate is more controllable and easier for Pittsburgh to welcome back into the fold.
Notably, the Steelers declined Harris’ fifth-year option, which would have paid him just shy of $7 million. It’s unclear if he’ll pass that mark, and he decidedly won’t clear it by a significant margin. Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley found a three-year, $37.75 million deal last offseason, boasting a more impressive resume and an easier accessibility to explosive plays.
Harris is likely to find work as a short-yardage complementary back at worst, with a handful of teams perhaps willing to let him be the lead back in an offense more conducive to his strengths.
Expect Pittsburgh to fill his shoes with some combination of Warren, an inexpensive free agent, and a rookie as it hopes to inject explosiveness into the backfield.
