The Steelers announced that they have signed running back Kalen Ballage to a one-year deal. Ballage, entering his fourth pro season, split the 2020 campaign between the Jets and Chargers.
After being drafted by the Dolphins in the fourth round of the 2018 draft, Ballage has appeared in 35 games across multiple stops. All in all, he has 629 yards off of 201 carries with seven touchdowns. He’s also tacked on 52 grabs for 285 yards. His best year came as a rookie — in an admittedly small sample size of 36 carries, the Arizona State product averaged 5.3 yards per tote.
The Steelers finished last in rushing yards per attempt last year, so they’re expected to prioritize RBs in the draft next month. Ballage won’t be the main ball-carrier in Pittsburgh, but he can offer support for the lagging group.
“We’ve got to be a lot better in running,” team president Art Rooney II said recently. “Certainly we don’t want to see the Pittsburgh Steelers being last in the league in rushing again ever. I think it’s something our coaches are focused on and we’ll be looking for ways to improve in the draft. It’s something we’ve got to fix, and we are working on it.”
Steelers signing lower cost depth players. A local Pittsburgh talk show host, Paul Zeise, made a good point last night. By them signing depth pieces it will allow them to to draft the best player available again regardless of position. They will have several needs over the next couple of years at several positions. It would make sense to fill as many of those spots with some experienced depth guys to allow them not to reach for a guy (See Artie Burns) just because they have a need at that position. What ever they draft that is quality , they can then cut a corresponding player at that position that was signed for depth and look to fill the remaining holes next off season when the cap rises again and they will have much more space to sign some better FA players to fill the holes. Not like they would be sudden championship contenders in 2021 if they drafted on or two players and they hit pay dirt with the picks
Could be effective in a role, but I’m curious with the Cap room Steeler have (about 12 million) why they couldn’t reach out to a better back for 3-4 million, or even bring Connor back, which won’t effect draft a RB. I’m assuming they’re saving it for big Al
Big Al ?
Their rushing will never be great as long as Ben puts ZERO effort into play action. Run fakes help out the passing game. Passing formations/fakes/draws help out the rushing attack. Ben gives no doubt what the the play is 1 sec after the snap.