There were many frustrating things about the Steelers 2020 season, namely their lack of a commitment to the run.
When asked how the Pittsburgh plans to turn their run game around next season, Steelers owner Art Rooney II’s answer was vague. He was pretty clear about the future of running back James Conner, though.
“We obviously are going to have some changes on the roster at running back this year with James being a free agent,” said Rooney on a call with Pittsburgh media on Thursday.
In March, the Pitt product will test free agency for the first time in his career after being selected in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft.
“There’s no question [the run game is] something that we have to address,” Rooney continued. “Everybody in the building agrees that you can’t finish 32nd in the league in rushing and feel you’re going to have a successful season.”
Pittsburgh was last in the league with its worst rushing output since 1966 — when the run game posted 1,092 yards.
But Conner isn’t entirely to blame.
James showed glimpses of returning to his career 2018 season early on, but with predictable playcalling and inept run-blocking, that quickly came to a halt. After posting 451 rushing yards through the first seven weeks, Conner ended the season with 721 yards.
While I don’t see a player of Conner’s caliber being in high demand, he’s likely to get a better offer than Pittsburgh can afford/wants to offer. Unless Conner wants to return on a hometown discount and perhaps be demoted to second on the depth chart, he’ll be playing elsewhere in 2021. Either way, though, I think the Steelers are ready to move on.
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