Steelers And Soon-To-Be Free Agent Running Back Get Eye-Opening Advice From Former NFL General Manager

The Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up for a home playoff game against the Houston Texans on Monday night. Getting here wasn’t easy for the Steelers, as they nearly lost the AFC North title in Week 18 against the Baltimore Ravens. Luckily, fate was on Pittsburgh’s side as it escaped with a 26-24 victory over Baltimore to clinch the division and secure its spot in the playoffs.

While most fans are focused on the postseason, speculation about the 2026 offseason and free agency is already underway. The modern NFL is never short on pundits sharing opinions and offering advice about which players teams should target. Even though the Steelers are in the playoffs, that doesn’t stop experts from looking for ways to improve their roster for next season.

Recently, former NFL General Manager Ran Carthon spoke with CBS Sports analyst Ryan Wilson and offered his thoughts on a potential Pittsburgh addition. Carthon suggested that Atlanta Falcons running back and soon-to-be unrestricted free agent Tyler Allgeier could be a perfect fit for the Steelers. 

Even though Pittsburgh’s backfield already features Jaylen Warren, Kenneth Gainwell, and Kaleb Johnson, Carthon believes Allgeier’s skill set could provide depth and versatility. With the playoffs underway and the offseason looming, adding a player like Allgeier could position the Steelers for continued success in the coming years.

"If I was Tyler Allgeier, I'd be looking to go somewhere else and I'd be looking to find out where Arthur Smith is gonna be," Carthon said. "Cause he was an Arthur Smith favorite. He had a thousand yards rushing when Arthur Smith was the head coach there. So, if Arthur Smith stays in Pittsburgh, I'd be making my way to Pittsburgh to be the guy there if I was Tyler Allgeier."

The Steelers moved on from 2021 first-round pick running back Najee Harris after the 2024 campaign. The team opted not to pick up his fifth-year option and allowed him to walk in free agency. It turned out to be the right decision, or at least it appears that way, as Pittsburgh got a lot out of its running back duo of Warren and Gainwell.

The Steelers signed Gainwell in free agency on a great-value one-year deal worth $1.79 million. Few expected Gainwell to perform at the level he has in the 2025 season, and he even earned the Steelers’ team MVP award, which shows a true bang for the buck. However, Gainwell's success could also mean he plays himself into a big contract elsewhere, outside of Steel City.

Gainwell has certainly turned heads, and his market value is rising. He seems to enjoy playing in Pittsburgh, but players always have to make business decisions when free agency comes around. The Steelers drafted Johnson in the third round, hoping for a productive rookie season, but he has not seen many opportunities. The 2025 season has truly been the Warren and Gainwell show.

Steelers Could Land Smith's Favorite Running Back For A Great Price

If the Steelers do not view Johnson as ready and do not want to break the bank to retain Gainwell, they could reunite Steelers Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith with one of his favorite and highly productive running backs in Allgeier. During the 2022 campaign, Allgeier broke out under Smith’s guidance as a head coach, rushing for 1,035 yards and four touchdowns while adding 16 catches for 139 yards. 

He followed that up in 2023 with 939 yards on 220 carries and five touchdowns. With a market value of just $1.8 million, Allgeier could be a tremendous value addition. Pairing him with Warren could create a hard-hitting, yards-after-contact tandem that would potentially be lethal in the NFL.

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