A lot of the conversations surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers as the new league year approaches have been regarding the quarterback and wide receiver positions. There is no doubt that these areas are extremely important to address during the 2025 offseason, but the organization has holes elsewhere as well. There has been speculation that Najee Harris could return to the team on a new deal, but the reality is that he will most likely want to test the free agency market for the first time in his career. Based on how the free-agent running back market went in 2024, another franchise may overpay for Harris' services.
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Steelers running back Najee Harris holds his hands on his hips on the field at Acrisure Stadium prior to a 2022 preseason game in Pittsburgh, PA.
If Harris is not-resigned, that will leave Jaylen Warren as the top option on the depth chart, and that's if he returns as a restricted free agent. Warren's circumstances are different than Harris, so many expect the undrafted ball carrier to be on the team in 2025. After Warren is a big-time question mark, especially because of how slow Cordarrelle Patterson looked throughout the 2024 campaign.
The Steelers could also be interested in signing a veteran running back in free agency. There are a handful that could be appealing, and Jeff Hathhorn, Sports Director for Audacy Pittsburgh, told the PM Team w/Poni & Mueller on Wednesday evening that he is hearing one name in particular that is being brought up after being asked if it would be Warren's backfield in 2025. He even hinted that Pittsburgh may be illegally contacting a soon-to-be free agent.
"No, I think they will bring in other running backs to be a part of a committee," Hathhorn said. "I don't think they look at, all of a sudden, Jaylen Warren is going to carry it 60 percent of the time, or 65, or 70 percent of the time. I think they think 'Okay, where else can we look?' I'll throw out a name of someone that I know that they're interested [in] and at least talking to. The medicals would have to play out and obviously it would be a decision, but Nick Chubb is someone they'd consider."
It was rather interesting to hear Hathhorn report that he knows the team is already talking to Nick Chubb. This would be against the NFL's tampering rules. He may have simply meant that the plan is to reach out to Chubb when it is legal. Hathhorn continued discussing the possibility after both Andrew Fillipponi and Chris Mueller were floored by the idea that Pittsburgh has a significant amount of interest in the running back.
"We're talking about probably a one-year deal, a prove-it deal, an opportunity to get back on your feet, but I know that there is interest," Hathhorn said.
Head Coach Mike Tomlin has always seemed to respect Chubb, and if the ball carrier is willing to take a one-year deal to stay in the AFC North, but leave the Cleveland Browns, the right fit may actually be Pittsburgh.
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Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (#24) carries the football during the first quarter of a professional football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Chubb has had a terrific career, but a gruesome knee injury suffered against the Steelers early in the 2023 campaign affected his ability to come back at 100% in 2024. He will have another offseason to get fully back into football shape, and could come at a low cost for a team like Pittsburgh that is in need of a veteran option in the backfield.
Chubb's form from 2019-2022 was impeccable, as he ran for 1,000 yards or more in four straight seasons while totaling 40 rushing touchdowns in that timeframe. He is an experienced back that wouldn't need to handle 75% or more of the workload with Warren and potentially a rookie thrown into the mix.
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Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (#30) carries a football while running a drill during a 2024 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Steelers Will Have Plenty Of Cash To Spend During The 2025 Offseason
Regardless of which direction Pittsburgh goes at running back, the good news is that the front office should be able to turn the offense into a more formidable unit for 2025. The organization is currently expected to have the eighth most cap space according to Over The Cap, which could allow the franchise to make a number of splashes in the coming months. Chubb wouldn't be one of those financially, but it sure would be odd to see him in the black and gold.
Do you think that the Steelers should try to sign Chubb? Let us know in the comments below!
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