Steelers Linked to $24M Running Back Ahead of NFL Draft

   

The Pittsburgh Steelers have several positions their slated to address in next week's NFL Draft.

One of those is running back. Pittsburgh has hosted nine running backs for pre-draft visits this offseason.

With Jaylen Warren and newcomer Kenneth Gainwell in the room already, the Steelers could find either a rookie or add another veteran to shore up the position.

Pro Football Network thinks a trade for a veteran could be in the cards for Pittsburgh, but it could come later in the offseason.

Steelers Linked to $24M Running Back Ahead of NFL Draft - Yahoo Sports

"Although Bears head coach Ben Johnson coached D'Andre Swift in Detroit, it feels like Swift could use a change of scenery," PFN wrote. "He averaged a career-worst 3.8 yards per carry in 2024, and his 39.5 percent rushing success rate ranked 42nd out of 46 RBs with 100-plus rushes.

"Swift still has two years left on the three-year, $24 million deal he signed last offseason. That makes the timing of this important, as the Bears would want to wait until after June 1 to trade Swift. By doing so, they'd save $8 million in cap room and take on a minuscule $1.3 million dead cap hit the next two years. It would also give the Bears the luxury of seeing if they come away with one of their preferred running backs in the draft."

Last season, Swift totaled just short of 1,000 yards on 253 carries with 959 yards and six touchdowns, and caught 42 passes for 386 yards.

Warren tallied just 511 yards on 120 rushes with one touchdown, while Gainwell rushed for just 290 yards on 75 carries with one touchdown in Philadelphia last season.