Steelers Running Back Decision Likely To Be Obvious Rather Quickly Considering The Limited Options

When the Pittsburgh Steelers were sitting at 10-3 during the 2024 season, no one expected them to fail to win another game. This added an extra layer of uncertainty to an offseason that previously felt simple. The losses exposed weaknesses and left a lot of question marks.  

While everyone speculates about the 2025 quarterback room and what veteran wide receiver they will find, Jason Mackey from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said the running back room is being ignored amid everything else. Mackey recently guest-hosted The Fan Morning Show on 93.7 The Fan and spoke with Mark Kaboly from The Pat McAfee Show. Kaboly believes that the plan for the running back room will be revealed sooner rather than later. 

"We'll get a better feel of that in about four weeks when they hit free agency," explained Kaboly. "The free agency market is not very strong with running backs that you're going to bring in and say, 'That's my starter.' At that time, if Najee Harris is of any interest to them, which I still don't believe he would be, then you could figure out which route they are going. If they ignore that position in free agency and add just a body, so to speak, then you have to figure they are going to go drafting one within the first two days, probably the second day."

The Steelers have recently utilized two running backs, with Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren splitting reps. Despite Harris being their first-round draft pick in 2021, running for more than 1,000 yards a season, and displaying exceptional durability, the team declined his fifth-year option. 

Warren, a restricted free agent this offseason, was an undrafted rookie in 2022. Pittsburgh is widely expected to make Warren an offer to stay in the Steel City. However, he hasn't shown he can fully step into the top running back spot without support. This leads fans to believe the Steelers will seek a replacement for Harris in this running back rich draft. 

"Jaylen Warren's a restricted free agent," added Kaboly. "They'll probably give him an original-round tender close to $4 million a year, $3.5 million, just for one season, and that's not bad. And they'll just bring a younger guy in. We will get a better picture, a better grasp, the first couple days of free agency."

Mackey asked Kaboly who he views as the best free agent running back this offseason, and he said Harris is at the top, maybe Aaron Jones from the Minnesota Vikings. With the lack of elite backs in free agency, he thinks there will be a lot of teams courting Harris. This will drive up his price, putting him out of reach of the Steelers even if they wanted him to return.

Head Coach Mike Tomlin has been open about his desire to win with a strong defense and a punishing run game. Harris has taken a lot of blame for failing to run the ball successfully; however, given the junior varsity offensive schemes, turnover at quarterback, and weak offensive line, he was able to accomplish more than many would have.  

Steelers Not As Old School As People Think

While Pittsburgh might want to stick with its ground and pound roots, they are not as traditional as people think. Fans frequently complain that the team is out of touch with the modern ways of the NFL. However, not everyone thinks that is true. 

Dave Dameshek recently said he has seen the team take more chances in the past 15 years. They aren't willing to be reckless and wait to take those chances on players who are worth it. 

In the case of Harris, they took a chance on an outstanding college running back, who was a clear first-round pick, and the fans were unhappy with that risk. Kaboly pointed out that there is a risk factor involved in drafting; more first-round picks are just average rather than hitting big. 

What will the Steelers do with the running back room for 2025? Tell us what you think below!

#SteelerNation