Steelers Named Favorites to Land Bruising Free-Agent RB
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been named the favorites to sign free-agent running back J.K. Dobbins this offseason.
While the Pittsburgh Steelers have kept the door open for free-agent running back Najee Harris to return, it seems likely they’ll just look for a cheaper option elsewhere. If that is the case, the Steelers could choose to replace him with another bruising free-agent running back.
The Steelers have been named the co-favorites to sign Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins in free agency, per Bovada.
Dobbins is still only 26 and coming of the best season of his five-year NFL career. In 2024, he rushed for a career-high 905 yards and nine touchdowns. He also recorded 32 catches for 153 yards.
However, like the first few years of Dobbin’s professional career, he was hit with the injury bug once again, missing four games due to a MCL sprain.
The Steelers are very familiar with Dobbins, who was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the second round (No. 55 overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Dobbins had a very promising rookie year, during which he rushed for 805 yards and nine touchdowns, but he tore his ACL in the final preseason game of the 2021 season. He was able to fight his way back onto the field for the second half of the 2022 season, but then tore his Achilles tendon in Week 1 of 2023.
Dobbins was able to avoid another major injury in 2024, but he still proves to be a risk for any interested teams this offseason. His price tag reflects that.
According to Spotrac, Dobbins is only expected to receive a two-year, $8 million contract ($4M per year).
It remains to be seen whether the Steelers would be willing to pay Dobbins that deal, especially after they’ve been spoiled by Harris, who has not missed a game in the first four years of his NFL career. But the team is expecting to have fellowing running back Jaylen Warren back in 2025 for extra insurance.
