The Steelers have left virtuallyno position on the roster untouched this offseason, and the running back group is no exception. Having experienced yet another one-and-done postseason exit, they are trying just about anything to achieve more favorable results. With bold swings via trade, shrewd free-agent signings, and a clear draft priority, the 2026 Steelers are taking shape.
With training camp fast approaching, it’s time to go over the Steelers’ roster to see where we are and how we got here in the first place. This has been an offseason arguably unlike any other for the organization, featuring major turnover. They’ve gone through so much change, it feels necessary at this time to take stock before we move on.
Position:Running Back
Total Positional Figure: 7
Additions: 1
Deletions: 0
Players Retained:
Jaylen Warren: Jaylen Warren had a career year last season, stepping out of Najee Harris’ shadow in the Steelers’ running back room. Despite the attention Kenneth Gainwell drew, Warren put up 1,291 yards with 8 touchdowns. With Rico Dowdle in the room now, he may actually lose some touches. At least, rushing touches, with perhaps an increase in receptions.
Rico Dowdle: A McCarthy player in Dallas, the veteran running back follows his former head coach to the Steelers. Dowdle is a capable volume runner, coming off consecutive 1,000-yard seasons with different teams. In more of a rotation in Pittsburgh, he may struggle to see the workload for a third straight, but you never know.
Kaleb Johnson: In his second season, Kaleb Johnson will have a hard time finding opportunities. The Steelers have Warren and Dowdle leading their running back room, so he’ll have to settle for scraps. Some question whether he’ll make the roster, and they did draft Eli Heidenreich. Needless to say, this will be a big training camp. And he’ll want to make himself useful on special teams—as a coverage player.
Travis Homer: Signed shortly before the draft, Homer would be more of a special teamer for the Steelers than a running back. But he is not a lock to make the roster, so he will have to make himself indispensable to Danny Crossman. The Steelers lost some key special teamers, especially Miles Killebrew and Connor Heyward. The door is open, but this is a fairly talented and deep roster.
Max Hurleman: Another spring, another wave of beat writers hyping up Max Hurleman. But he still won’t make the roster—especially not after the Steelers just drafted a similar versatile, athletic running back in Eli Heidenreich. Once upon a time, he might have competed for a return job. But after taking Kaden Wetjen in the fourth round, there’s no chance of that happening.
Lew Nichols: Added in training camp when the Steelers needed running back depth due to injuries, Nichols lasted on the practice squad, even dressing for one game. But he’ll be hard-pressed to repeat even that feat this season.
Players Added:
Eli Heidenreich: Heidenreich was the feel-good story of the draft, but he needs to be more than that to make the roster. The Steelers rookie himself said he feels most natural at running back, but they’ll want to emphasize his athletic profile. Still, he’ll have to play on special teams as well, perhaps as the secondary return man.
Players Lost: N/A
Notes and Camp Outlook:
The Steelers’ running back position at the top is secure with Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle, though they may have to fine tune specific roles and workloads. That’s a welcome problem to have, but the more taxing concern is the depth behind them. And maybe how to fit them all, between Kaleb Johnson, Eli Heidenreich, and Travis Homer.
Homer was a nice thought, a quality special teamer, but will the Steelers have room for him in the running back room? Obviously, they depends on how Johnson and Heidenreich look this summer. As a former third-round pick, they’ll want to be sure before they cut ties with Johnson. And Heidenreich is an exciting player, even as a seventh-round pick. You don’t want to take a chance on a longshot gem and give up too soon only to find out you were wrong.
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