The Pittsburgh Steelers have been having a fantastic offseason so far in 2023. After an amazing NFL Draft, the Steelers received high marks across the board for their picks, finding late-round talent and adding players to positions of need that will make immediate starts to the roster. With free agency winding down across the league, there are only a few high-profile players left out there for free agency, and one of them happens to be in Pittsburgh this weekend, but not to sign with the Steelers.
Ed Zurga | Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS
Former Steelers LB Ryan Shazier hosted "The Run for the Black and Gold."
Ezekiel Elliott was at Acrisure Stadium, but not to meet with the Steelers
Ezekiel Elliott was in Pittsburgh this weekend and was actually at Acrisure Stadium, but not in football pads. Acrisure was the site for ex-Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier's charity event, "The Run for the Black and Gold" that took place Saturday, May 20th. Elliott was in town to support his college teammate, when they played together in 2013 for the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Along with Elliott, current Steelers players such as Cam Heyward, Kenny Pickett, and another old Steelers linebacker, Joey Porter. Steelers players, Elliott, also Urban and Shelly Meyer came out to support Shazier for his fund for spinal rehabilitation. As all fans know, Shazier was injured during a Monday Night Football game vs the Cincinnati Bengals where there was contact that forced Shazier to undergo spinal stabilization surgery. This hit ended Shazier's career and now has him working for Ryan Shazier Foundation for Spinal Rehabilitation.
ryanshazierfund.org
Ryan Shazier Fund for Spinal Rehabilitation Facebook Page
Would the Steelers want to add Ezekiel Elliot to the team?
Elliott was a standout in his first three years in the NFL, having the best year of his career as a rookie in 2016. After these years, Elliott's game got worse as he was one of the original players that showed teams to not take a running back high in the draft. Elliott is currently the highest-paid running back of all-time, even though he only has four 1,000-yard seasons in his career.
Elliott was cut from the Dallas Cowboys this offseason and plays a position that the Steelers do not have a need for. With Najee Harris lining up the be the featured back, the team already has a change of pace back in the young undrafted free agent, Jaylen Warren. Warren was a great player behind Harris, especially when he was struggling earlier in the season due to the plate being in his shoe because of injury. Elliott was a great young player and got paid as such and set the tone for running backs in the market. That being said, the Steelers are not looking to sign him, or even having the conversation with him while he is in town.
Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
After Najee Harris saw a league-high 381 touches in 2021, Steelers RB Jaylen Warren became a huge part of the 2022 offense.
If not the Steelers, Where Is The Landing Spot for Elliott?
Elliott is a great friend to Shazier, but not the future running back of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The team is going in a different, younger, direction than Elliott. Although that doesn't mean the Steelers won't see him again. Elliott has been rumored to go to teams in the division, including the Cleveland Browns. Depending on where he lands, the Steelers may or may not be game-planning for him in the future.
Do you think the Steelers should sign another running back? If so, who? Let us know on Twitter or in the comments below.
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