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Jonathan Ward Jonathan Ward Getting another opportunity
Mon, Jan 20, 2025, 11:52 AM
Ward signed a reserve/future contract with the Steelers on Monday.
Analysis: Ward initially joined Pittsburgh's practice squad at the end of August after not being able to make the 53-man roster out of training camp. The 27-year-old then shuttled between the active roster, practice squad, and free agency. He ultimately appeared in four regular-season games for the Steelers this season, finishing with five carries for 22 yards. |
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Darnell Washington Darnell Washington Role grows in 2024
Wed, Jan 15, 2025, 2:38 PM
Washington secured 19 of 25 targets for 200 yards and a touchdown over 17 regular-season appearances with the Steelers in 2024.
Analysis: Washington's production improved slightly in 2024 after he secured seven of 10 targets for 61 yards over 17 regular-season appearances as a rookie last year. However, the 23-year-old wasn't a reliable fantasy option, recording double-digit receiving yards in just six appearances and being held without a catch in four of the final five games of the regular season. Pat Freiermuth signed a four-year contract extension with the Steelers ahead of the 2024 season, and as long as he remains healthy next season, it seems unlikely that Washington will have much fantasy potential. |
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Justin Fields Justin Fields Minimal work to close out 2024
Wed, Jan 15, 2025, 2:34 PM
Fields failed to complete his lone pass attempt and played two snaps in the Steelers' 28-14 loss to the Ravens this past Saturday in the wild-card round.
Analysis: During the regular season, Fields completed 106 of 161 pass attempts for 1,106 yards, five touchdowns and an interception while rushing 62 times for 289 yards and five touchdowns over 10 appearances. He began the season as the team's starter while Russell Wilson recovered from a preseason injury and led the Steelers to a 4-2 start, but Fields topped 200 passing yards in just two of those appearances. The Steelers turned to Wilson as their starter afterward, and Fields played just 12 offensive snaps over the remainder of the regular season. While Pittsburgh's record with Fields as the starting quarterback was encouraging, the 2021 first-round pick enters the offseason as an unrestricted free agent and could have some trouble finding a guaranteed starting job. |
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Cordarrelle Patterson Cordarrelle Patterson Limited production in 2024
Wed, Jan 15, 2025, 2:28 PM
Patterson rushed 32 times for 135 yards while securing 12 of 14 targets for 80 yards and a touchdown across 13 regular-season appearances with the Steelers in 2024.
Analysis: Patterson began the regular season on a high note, racking up double-digit yards in three of the first four weeks. However, he missed the next four games due to an ankle injury and didn't generate nearly as much production upon his return. He played single-digit snaps on offense in each of the team's final five regular-season games and was limited exclusively to work on special teams in Pittsburgh's wild-card loss to the Ravens. The 2013 first-rounder still has one more year left on his contract with the Steelers after signing a two-year, $6 million contract with the team in March. While Najee Harris will be an unrestricted free agent during the offseason, and Jaylen Warren will be a restricted free agent, Patterson expressed displeasure with his postseason role following the team's loss to the Ravens, so it's unclear whether he'll see an uptick in work next year if he remains with the team. |
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Calvin Austin Calvin Austin Takes step forward in 2024
Wed, Jan 15, 2025, 2:14 PM
Austin secured 36 of 58 targets for 548 yards and four touchdowns across 17 regular-season appearances with the Steelers in 2024.
Analysis: Although Austin consistently lagged behind Van Jefferson in snap counts in 2024, Austin was the more productive receiver, doubling Jefferson's production in receiving yards and touchdowns. Austin had a limited impact during Pittsburgh's wild-card loss to Baltimore, securing one of two targets for 25 yards, but he still showed some promise during his second healthy season in the NFL. Austin is entering the final season of his rookie contract in 2025, and he'll likely have a chance to take another step in his development process, especially if he rises to be the No. 2 receiver behind George Pickens. |
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Van Jefferson Van Jefferson Shows slight improvement in 2024
Wed, Jan 15, 2025, 2:08 PM
Jefferson secured 24 of 40 targets for 276 yards and two touchdowns over 17 regular-season appearances in 2024.
Analysis: Jefferson split time between the Rams and Falcons last year and failed to reach the end zone with either club. Although he wasn't very consistent during his first season in Pittsburgh, he found the end zone on two occasions during the regular season and also scored a touchdown during the team's wild-card loss to Baltimore. The 28-year-old will be an unrestricted free agent during the offseason and will likely have limited fantasy upside heading into 2025, regardless of where he signs. |
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Aaron Shampklin Aaron Shampklin Inks deal with Pittsburgh
Tue, Jan 14, 2025, 3:50 PM
The Steelers signed Shampklin to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.
Analysis: Shampklin spent the 2024 season in Pittsburgh, mostly on the practice squad, but he did get promoted to the active roster several times and appeared in three regular-season contests. Shampklin rushed six times for 17 yards, logging the first carries of his career. He'll try to win a job this upcoming offseason. |
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Lance McCutcheon Lance McCutcheon Returns to Pittsburgh
Tue, Jan 14, 2025, 3:47 PM
The Steelers signed McCutcheon to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.
Analysis: McCutcheon spent last offseason with the Jets but was amongst the team's final cuts before Week 1. He eventually signed with Pittsburgh's practice squad in October but was later let go in November. McCutcheon will try to earn a longer look this offseason. He appeared in 10 games for the Rams during the 2022 season but failed to catch any of his five targets. |
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Brandon Johnson Brandon Johnson Back with Pittsburgh
Tue, Jan 14, 2025, 3:44 PM
The Steelers signed Johnson to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.
Analysis: Cut by the Broncos ahead of Week 1 last summer, Johnson spent the entire season in Pittsburgh, toggling between the active roster and practice squad. He appeared in three regular-season contests, catching one pass for nine yards. Known mostly for his willingness to be a blocker out wide, Johnson will look to earn a role with the Steelers this upcoming offseason. |
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Evan Hull Evan Hull Signs with Pittsburgh
Tue, Jan 14, 2025, 3:41 PM
The Steelers signed Hull to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.
Analysis: Hull was a fifth-round pick of the Colts in the 2023 NFL Draft and spent each of the past two seasons with the team, mostly on the practice squad. He appeared in two games for the team, logging one rushing attempt for one yard, while catching one pass for six yards. Hull will try to win a backup job in Pittsburgh's backfield this upcoming offseason. |
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Skylar Thompson Skylar Thompson Inks deal with Pittsburgh
Tue, Jan 14, 2025, 3:38 PM
The Steelers signed Thompson to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.
Analysis: Selected in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Dolphins, Thompson spent the past three seasons with Miami as part of the team's backup situation behind Tua Tagovailoa. Thompson appeared in 10 regular-season contests in that time and even started Miami's wild-card playoff game against the Bills as a rookie. Thompson, however, looked overwhelmed when forced into action, completing 99 of 183 passes (54.1 percent) for 941 yards (5.14 yards per attempt), two touchdowns and five interceptions across those 11 contests, while absorbing 16 sacks. He'll compete for a backup gig in Pittsburgh this upcoming offseason. |
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George Pickens George Pickens Bright spot in playoff loss
Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 11:25 PM
Pickens recorded five receptions on five targets for 87 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 28-14 loss to the Ravens.
Analysis: Pickens was coming off a poor close to the regular season, though he keyed the slight offensive resurgence the Steelers showed in the second half of their playoff loss. That began with an impressive 36-yard touchdown catch, during which Pickens spun to split two defenders along the sideline. He also chipped in an acrobatic 26-yard leaping reception on an underthrown ball from Russell Wilson midway through the fourth quarter. Pickens will be entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2025, making him a potential extension candidate this offseason. Regardless of whether a deal gets done, he should be set to lead the Pittsburgh receiving corps once again next season. |
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Najee Harris Najee Harris Picks up 58 yards in playoff loss
Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 10:41 PM
Harris rushed the ball six times for 17 yards in Saturday's 28-14 loss to the Ravens. He added three receptions on three targets for 41 yards.
Analysis: Harris led the Pittsburgh backfield in every statistic, though it's difficult to have many takeaways from this game as the Steelers were down multiple scores for over half of the game. In part due to game script, he was unable to get going on the ground, but he showed some ability as a pass catcher -- highlighted by a 21-yard catch and run late in the third quarter. Harris is now set to enter free agency for the first time in his career, and his market will be intriguing to watch. He has lacked explosive playmaking ability for most of his career, though he's topped 250 carries in each of his four pro seasons and has proven the ability to lead a backfield. |
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Russell Wilson Russell Wilson Late comeback attempt not enough
Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 10:25 PM
Wilson completed 20 of 29 passes for 270 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions in Saturday's 28-14 loss to the Ravens. He added three rushes for six yards.
Analysis: Wilson struggled to close the regular season and that carried over into the first half of Saturday's playoff matchup. Things turned around in the second half for him, however, as he aired the ball out with the Steelers down multiple scores and tallied six completions of more than 20 yards. That included a pair of long passing scores that went for 36 and 30 yards to George Pickens and Van Jefferson, respectively. Despite that fairly impressive close to the campaign, Wilson lost five straight games as the leader of the Steelers offense, and he totaled just seven touchdowns while averaging only 6.4 yards per attempt in that span. That sets him up for an intriguing offseason, as he enters free agency clearly on the back end of his career but still capable of orchestrating an effective offense at times. |
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Jamal Agnew Jamal Agnew Not play Saturday
Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 6:04 PM
Agnew (coach's decision) is inactive for Saturday's AFC wild-card game against Baltimore, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Analysis: Agnew and Scotty Miller were elevated from the Steelers' practice squad to the active roster earlier Saturday, but neither of them will be active for the contest. Agnew has not played in a game for Pittsburgh since being signed to its practice squad Nov. 12. |
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Scotty Miller Scotty Miller Not playing against Baltimore
Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 6:02 PM
Miller (coach's decision) is inactive for Saturday's AFC wild-card game against the Ravens, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Analysis: Miller was elevated from the Steelers' practice squad to the active roster earlier Saturday, but the veteran wideout will observe the contest in street clothes. He would have a chance to play in the AFC divisional round should the Steelers take care of business Saturday. |
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Kyle Allen Kyle Allen Emergency QB for wild-card round
Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 5:58 PM
Allen (coach's decision) is inactive for Saturday's AFC wild-card game against the Ravens, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Analysis: As the Steelers' emergency quarterback Saturday, Allen will only be allowed to see the field if both starter Russell Wilson and backup Justin Fields were to be taken out of the game due to injury, illness or ejection. |
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Jamal Agnew Jamal Agnew Elevated ahead of wild-card contest
Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 3:40 PM
Pittsburgh elevated Agnew from its practice squad to its active roster Saturday, Dale Lolley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Analysis: Agnew signed to the Steelers' practice squad in mid-November, and this is his first elevation of the season. The veteran wideout played in 11 games with Jacksonville last year, tallying 14 catches on 21 targets for 225 yards and a touchdown while losing two yards on four carries. Pittsburgh's wideout corps is relatively healthy, so Agnew isn't likely to see many opportunities Saturday in the wild-card matchup versus Baltimore. |
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Scotty Miller Scotty Miller Elevated for wild-card matchup
Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 3:33 PM
The Steelers elevated Miller from their practice squad to their active roster Saturday, Dale Lolley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Analysis: Miller was waived by Pittsburgh on Thursday, but he was re-signed to the practice squad two days later and was subsequently elevated to the active roster. The veteran wide receiver played in 13 regular-season contests for the Steelers this season, tallying five catches on nine targets for 69 yards. Miller should continue serving in a depth wideout role in Saturday's wild-card contest against Baltimore with the Steelers' receiver corps in good health. |
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Roman Wilson Roman Wilson Won't face Baltimore
Thu, Jan 9, 2025, 3:43 PM
Wilson (hamstring) is ruled out for Saturday's road wild-card round matchup against the Ravens, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Wilson won't be activated from IR in time to suit up Saturday, though he has consistently practiced in full since having his 21-day window opened. For another chance a returning for postseason action, Wilson need the Steelers to emerge victorious over Baltimore and advance to the divisional round of the AFC playoffs. |
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