Though they added to their backfield on Tuesday, the Steelers already boast one of the top running back tandems in the league in Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris.
Just a few hours before the start of OTAs, Pittsburgh revealed that it had signed veteran running back Jonathan Ward to a one-year deal. That Ward caught the eye of running backs coach Eddie Faulkner during his rookie minicamp audition doesn’t make the addition all that surprising. In addition, the Steelers usually carry at least four running backs during organized team activities, required minicamps, and training camp, despite having only three running backs on their 90-man roster the previous season.
Ward will be joining Cordarrelle Patterson, Harris, and Warren in a room. This offseason, Patterson inked a $6 million, two-year contract with Pittsburgh. Patterson was probably brought in solely to return kickoffs for the Steelers. After 11 years of play, the 33-year-old leads the NFL all-time in kickoff returns for touchdowns with nine.
He spent the last three years in Atlanta with new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, so there’s no doubting their bond. With 347 carries and 82 catches since 2021, Patterson has had a ton of opportunity under Smith. It will be challenging for Ward to make Pittsburgh’s 53-man roster based just on that, but all the former undrafted 2020 running back needs is a chance.
The 26-year-old can increase his value by running behind the team’s strengthened offensive line in the interim. He is just one unlucky injury away from being the Steelers running attack’s third option. Over his first four years with the Arizona Cardinals and Tennessee Titans, Ward has primarily been a member of the special teams unit. He has, nevertheless, had some opportunities, as evidenced by his 69-yard touchdown run and his six-yard touchdown reception on six catches.
