Pittsburgh Steelers DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

ESPN's Brooke Pryor writes that it would be cost prohibitive for the Pittsburgh Steelers to use the franchise tag on impending free-agent running back Najee Harris this year after they declined his fifth-year option a year ago. Additionally, neither quarterbacks Russell Wilson nor Justin Fields is worth the hefty price that would come with a franchise tag for a QB. However, Pittsburgh could consider using the transition tag on Wilson or Fields that would give them the ability to match another team's offer. RB Jaylen Warren will also be a restricted free agent, so the Steelers RB room could look quite different in 2025. Harris has over 1,000 yards rushing in all four of his NFL seasons and has started all 68 games, but he's lacked explosiveness by averaging 3.9 yards per carry on his 1,097 rushing attempts. Still, the Steelers could very well re-sign him, especially if they let Warren walk.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that there is a possibility that impending free-agent quarterback Russell Wilson re-signs with the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason. The Steelers are also open to the idea of re-signing Justin Fields, but most likely the team will only bring back one of the signal-callers. Reports this offseason suggest the Steelers would be comfortable using Fields as their starter in 2025 because he's younger and has more mobility. However, head coach Mike Tomlin has been loyal to Wilson, and the Steelers could be priced out of Fields' free-agent market, which could be robust. In addition to Pittsburgh, the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants have been mentioned as potential landing spots for Russ, but if he has it his way, staying with the Steelers would probably be his first choice. The 36-year-old initially gave Pittsburgh's offense a spark but finished the year with five straight losses.

Pittsburgh Steelers impending free-agent quarterback Russell Wilson has been connected to the New York Giants by a few people during Super Bowl week, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Wilson visited with the Giants in free agency last year before joining the Steelers, and the Giants could be on his radar once again in 2025. Ex-Steelers players told Fowler this week that some people in Pittsburgh's building prefer Justin Fields (also a free agent) over Wilson due to his age and mobility. However, head coach Mike Tomlin's loyalty to Wilson means something, and Fields could price himself out of Pittsburgh's range if his market is strong this offseason. Although Wilson enjoyed Pittsburgh, he's taking a wait-and-see approach to free agency and has also been connected to the Las Vegas Raiders, who recently hired his ex-Seahawks head coach in Pete Carroll.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to tender an offer to impending restricted free-agent running back Jaylen Warren this offseason, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac. Dulac also goes on to say that he thinks there's a strong chance the Steelers will re-sign fellow RB Najee Harris despite the fact that the team didn't pick up the former first-rounder's fifth-year option. Warren, a former undrafted free agent, has played more of a secondary role to Harris in his first three years in the NFL, but he's been extremely productive with his limited opportunities, averaging 4.8 yards per carry on 346 rushing attempts for 1,674 rushing yards in 48 games. Placing a tender on Warren would give the Steelers a backup option in case the don't end up bringing Harris back. If Warren returns to Pittsburgh and Harris does not, Warren could be the team's lead back in 2025.

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac, there's a strong chance that the Pittsburgh Steelers will re-sign impending free-agent running back Najee Harris this offseason. In addition to Harris being a free agent, RB Jaylen Warren will be a restricted free agent. Harris, a former first-round pick, didn't have his fifth-year option picked up, which many believed was a sign the Steelers would move on when he was eligible for free agency after the 2024 season. Dulac doesn't think Pittsburgh will give Harris a hometown discount, but there's something to be said for the fact that he had four 1,000-yard season with 28 total touchdowns in his four years with the team. He dealt with minor injuries but managed to start all 68 games in his four seasons as well. The 26-year-old is expected to make $9.166 million per year on his next deal.