Steelers Sign Veteran Running Back To An Already Extraordinary Position Group

The Pittsburgh Steelers concluded rookie minicamp earlier in May where they had their new draft picks practicing with some of the team's undrafted free agents, as well as unsigned rookies looking to make a roster. Also in attendance were a few NFL veterans, such as Anthony Averett and Jonathan Ward, looking for a chance to find their footing in the league. Averett was signed by Pittsburgh shortly after the minicamp concluded, while Pittsburgh waited for Phase 3 of OTAs to begin to sign Ward. 

Ward went undrafted during the 2020 NFL Draft, but eventually signed with the Arizona Cardinals, where he was in the positional room with former Steelers running back, James Conner. Ward bounced between Arizona's active roster and their practice squad, but was released before the end of the 2022 season. Now, he has an opportunity to make an impact with Pittsburgh. 

Ward was with the Tennessee Titans during the 2023 season, where he again was between the active roster and the practice squad for what seemed like the entire season. He finished the year on the active roster, but was not brought back to Tennessee after the season concluded and he became a free agent.

Steelers Likely Don't Have A Role For Ward Just Yet

Ward will be fighting to make the Steelers' final roster during training camp, which is something he is used to as he was an undrafted free agent coming into the league. If he finds a way onto the roster, it'll likely be similar to his first four seasons in the league where he is on and off the practice squad. Pittsburgh doesn't need a running back; they have all of their backfield production accounted for between Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, and the organization also added Cordarrelle Patterson during free agency. He is expected to be the third back and help in the passing game. 

It's always important to have depth at every position, and it's good to have a lot of bodies at meaningful positions during training camp in order to spark competition. Ward has played in 42 games so far in his career, and he has totaled 69 yards on 17 attempts, along with 6 receptions for 52 yards and a touchdown. He is a long shot to make the roster, or make a meaningful impact in a game for Pittsburgh, but he has been on and off of practice squads his entire career and has managed to step foot on an NFL field 42 times in four years. 

Ward has a good amount of experience for an undrafted player who can't seem to stay on an active roster, which could make him valuable to Pittsburgh if the running back room gets thin due to injuries.

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