The Steelers and Patterson agreed to terms on a two-year, $6 million contract Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. With this move to Pittsburgh, Patterson reunites with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, with whom he worked under the past three seasons in Atlanta. Patterson reeled off 1,313 rushing yards, 670 receiving yards and 19 total touchdowns in 29 games between 2021 and 2022, but he fell off almost completely working behind Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier in the most recent campaign (219 yards from scrimmage, one TD in 14 contests). Upon joining the Steelers, Patterson will be in a similar spot as the No. 3 RB behind Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, but the 33-year-old's ability as a kick returner likely will be where he makes his mark with his new squad.
Heavy on Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers news & information.
Pittsburgh Steelers
AFC North (10-7, 3rd place)
Team Insights
Top Stories from Heavy on Steelers
Latest Steelers News Alerts
More from Heavy on Steelers
Latest Steelers News
Cordarrelle Patterson : Takes talents to Pittsburgh
The Steelers and Patterson agreed to terms on a two-year, $6 million contract Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. With this move to Pittsburgh, Patterson reunites with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, with whom he worked under the past three seasons in Atlanta. Patterson reeled off 1,313 rushing yards, 670 receiving yards and 19 total touchdowns in 29 games between 2021 and 2022, but he fell off almost completely working behind Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier in the most recent campaign (219 yards from scrimmage, one TD in 14 contests). Upon joining the Steelers, Patterson will be in a similar spot as the No. 3 RB behind Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, but the 33-year-old's ability as a kick returner likely will be where he makes his mark with his new squad.
Dean Lowry : Finds new home
Lowry (pectoral) signed a contract with the Steelers on Monday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports. Lowry played nine games for the Vikings last season after spending the first seven years of his career with the Packers. The Northwestern product had 14 tackles last season while not recording a sack for the first time since 2019.
Kyle Allen : Lands in Pittsburgh
The Steelers agreed to terms on a contract with Allen on Monday, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports. Allen lands in a quarterback room that just brought in new faces Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Currently, Wilson looks to be the favorite to start, though coach Mike Tomlin has stated that Fields will get opportunities to compete. Allen, meanwhile, looks firmly comfortable as the No. 3 option on the depth chart. He served as the backup to the Bills' Josh Allen in 2023.
Quez Watkins : Joining Pittsburgh
Watkins is signing with the Steelers, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports. A 2020 sixth-round pick, Watkins made 25 starts for Philadelphia over the past four seasons but never saw more than 62 targets in a year. His 4.35 speed is his best trait, and he'll now join a Steelers team with only George Pickens entrenched as a starting wide receiver. Pittsburgh's other options at the position include Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin, Denzel Mims and Marquez Callaway, with more help possibly coming during the 2024 NFL Draft.
Justin Fields : Chance to compete for QB1 job?
Coach Mike Tomlin said Monday that Fields "will be given an opportunity to show his capabilities" even though Russell Wilson "has pole position" to be the starting quarterback, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. It's still not quite clear if the Steelers' two new quarterbacks will compete for the starting job this spring/summer, as Tomlin's comments could also be interpreted as a suggestion that Wilson will be the No. 1 but without any assurances of staying in the spot if he struggles in practice (and eventually games). Reports shortly after Fields was traded suggested he'd be coming in as a clear backup, though it's probably worth noting that the QB-related reporting out of Pittsburgh this offseason has been rather unreliable. In any case, the team did well to acquire Wilson on a one-year, $1.21 million contract, later adding Fields in exchange for a sixth-round pick (that can become a fourth-rounder if he plays more than half the snaps in 2024). Neither QB is signed beyond the upcoming season, and the Steelers are unlikely to pick up the fifth-year option on Fields' rookie contract before the May 2 deadline.
Cameron Heyward : Should be 100 percent by camp
Coach Mike Tomlin said Monday that he expects Heyward (groin) to be a full participant in offseason activities by the start of training camp, Nick Farabaugh of Steelers Now reports. Heyward is currently recovering from a cleanup procedure undergone to address a groin/core injury, but Tomlin said he's "not anticipating it to be a factor by the time we get to training camp." The veteran defensive end managed to finish 2023 with 33 tackles (25 solo), two sacks and one pass breakup in 11 games despite playing through a core muscle injury for much of the season, so he could bounce back in 2024 if simply healthier. Heyward tallied a combined 20.5 sacks across his previous two seasons.
Russell Wilson : Gets commitment from Tomlin
Head coach Mike Tomlin said Wilson is in "pole position" to open the 2024 season as the Steelers' starting quarterback, though Justin Fields will "have the opportunity to compete" with the nine-time Pro Bowler for the No. 1 role, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports. "We've been very transparent about the pecking order, at least to start," Tomlin said Sunday. "I just think that provides clarity for all parties involved. Russell is a veteran, man. He's got a proven process of readiness. He's been in this league a long time. He's just got a lot of experience in terms of what it takes to be the guy over the course of a 12-month calendar, and I just think that that's something that a younger guy like Justin could learn from." Addressing the Steelers' overhauled quarterback room for the first time following the signing of Wilson and trade acquisition of Fields earlier this month, Tomlin's comments about the situation didn't deviate much from prior reports, which suggested that Pittsburgh was viewing Wilson as its top option on the depth chart. The fact that Tomlin said that Fields will get the chance to compete for the starting role is noteworthy, though it likely would take an injury or poor showing in the offseason program and training camp for Wilson to lose the gig. Though Wilson thus should head into OTAs with some security, he's still only under contract for 2024, and his standing on the depth chart could become shakier if Pittsburgh gets off to a poor start to the season and eventually shifts into evaluation mode while a playoff berth falls out of reach.
Justin Fields : Viewed as backup to Russell Wilson
Fields, whom the Steelers acquired from the Bears on Saturday in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round pick, isn't expected to compete for Pittsburgh's starting quarterback job and is line to serve as a backup to Russell Wilson during the 2024 season, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports. Though Fields is due a larger salary in the final year of his rookie deal in 2024 than Wilson will earn on his one-year, $1.21 million contract, the Steelers are inclined to have Fields learn from Wilson rather than looking for the 25-year-old to directly challenge the nine-time Pro Bowler for the top spot on the depth chart. While Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette notes that the Steelers are expected to decline Fields' pricey $25.66 million player option for 2025 prior to the May 2 deadline to do so, such a move wouldn't necessarily preclude Pittsburgh from re-signing the signal-caller next offseason if they're satisfied with his work in practices or in any action he might see in place of Wilson during his first season in the organization. Given that the 2025 sixth-round pick the Steelers gave up to acquire Fields would turn into a fourth-round pick if he plays more than 51 percent of the team's snaps this season, Pittsburgh has some extra incentive to stay committed to Wilson, at least for the early part of the campaign. Fields' fantasy outlook could brighten in 2025 if the Steelers commit to him as a starter or if he lands a more favorable opportunity elsewhere in free agency next spring, but at least for the upcoming season, he doesn't look as though he'll be anything more than a luxury stash in most redraft leagues.
Steelers team stats
-
passing yards
2070rushing yards
Najee Harris RB1035receiving yards
1140tackles
68interceptions
Levi Wallace CB2Passing
name GP CMP ATT CMP% YDS YDS/G TDS INT SACK SYL RTG M. Rudolph, QB4557474.3719179.830643118K. Pickett, QB12201324622070172.5642317381.4M. Trubisky, QB56710762.6632126.44574271.9C. Heyward, TE1701000000039.6Rushing
name GP CAR YDS AVG LNG YDS/G TD FUM LST FD N. Harris, RB1725510354.12560.982-6651J. Warren, RB171497845.37446.144-4536C. Austin III, WR1711575.2123.412-24M. Trubisky, QB516543.41510.821-36K. Pickett, QB1242541.3114.512-912G. Pickens, WR173186161.103-12M. Rudolph, QB41080.87203-94C. Heyward, TE1710000000Receiving
name GP REC TGTS YDS AVG TDS LNG YDS/G YAC FD G. Pickens, WR1763106114018.158667.138842J. Warren, RB1761743706.103021.848619D. Johnson, WR13518771714.157155.226137A. Robinson II, WR1734492808.203116.5689P. Freiermuth, TE1232473089.622925.714517N. Harris, RB1729381705.9032101759C. Heyward, TE1723341677.30139.8948C. Austin III, WR17173018010.617210.6737D. Washington, TE17710618.70123.6504M. Boykin, WR1734175.706120A. McFarland Jr., RB322115.5063.771G. Olszewski, WR2110000010R. Williams, TE13020000000Defense
TacklesSacksInterceptionsFumblesname GP SOLO AST TOTAL SACK SCKYDS TFL PD INT TD FF FR E. Roberts, LB1668 33 101 2.5 19.5 10 2 0 0 0 T. Watt, LB1748 20 68 19 122 19 8 1 0 4 3 M. Fitzpatrick, SAF1043 21 64 0 0 1 3 0 0 0 D. Kazee, SAF1446 15 61 0 0 0 3 2 0 0 2 A. Highsmith, LB1734 23 57 7 44.5 8 3 2 1 2 0 C. Holcomb, LB831 23 54 0 0 4 2 0 2 1 K. Neal, SAF933 17 50 0 0 1 2 1 0 0 1 L. Ogunjobi, DT1721 22 43 3 16 3 2 0 1 2 P. Peterson, CB1734 8 42 0 0 0 11 2 0 0 0 J. Porter Jr., CB1732 10 42 0 0 1 10 1 0 0 0 K. Alexander, LB932 9 41 1 3 5 1 1 0 1 0 L. Wallace, CB1632 6 38 0 0 0 11 2 0 0 0 K. Benton, DL1716 20 36 1 9 1 2 0 2 0 M. Walker, LB821 12 33 0 0 2 2 1 0 0 0 C. Heyward, DT1125 8 33 2 14 6 1 0 0 0 E. Rowe, SAF322 7 29 0 0 1 2 1 0 1 0 M. Robinson, LB1719 6 25 1 8 1 0 0 1 0 M. Adams, DT1311 13 24 0 0 2 1 0 1 0 N. Herbig, LB1715 7 22 3 24 5 0 0 2 1 T. Thompson, DB618 3 21 0 0 0 3 1 0 0 0 M. Golden, LB1614 6 20 4 25 6 1 0 0 1 C. Sullivan, CB1712 8 20 0 0 1 6 1 0 1 0 M. Jack, LB312 5 17 1 11 1 0 0 0 0 I. Loudermilk, DT168 8 16 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 A. Watts, DT156 9 15 0.5 4 0 0 0 0 0 D. Leal, DE1210 5 15 1 2 2 1 0 0 0 M. Killebrew, DB1710 3 13 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 E. Riley, SAF135 5 10 1 2 2 0 0 0 0 B. Martinez, LB12 2 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 D. Rush, CB32 1 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 J. Pierre, CB161 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 G. Pickens, WR170 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 P. Freiermuth, TE120 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 C. Kuntz, LS170 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 A. Robinson II, WR170 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 D. Johnson, WR130 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 M. Cole, C170 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 C. Heyward, TE170 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 J. Daniels, OL150 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 T. Carpenter, LB30 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 C. Austin III, WR170 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 G. Igwebuike, RB100 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 M. Boykin, WR170 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 B. Jones, T170 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 R. Williams, TE130 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -
passing yards
229rushing yards
38receiving yards
76tackles
Eric Rowe SAF6Passing
name GP CMP ATT CMP% YDS YDS/G TDS INT SACK SYL RTG M. Rudolph, QB1223956.42292292111180Rushing
name GP CAR YDS AVG LNG YDS/G TD FUM LST FD J. Warren, RB18384.81238002N. Harris, RB112373.111370-11M. Rudolph, QB121681016002G. Pickens, WR11151515150101Receiving
name GP REC TGTS YDS AVG TDS LNG YDS/G YAC FD G. Pickens, WR151150100195023P. Freiermuth, TE1587615.203376343D. Johnson, WR147481211948184A. Robinson II, WR12312601312131N. Harris, RB123157.501015101J. Warren, RB12216801616211C. Heyward, TE1115505500C. Austin III, WR1127717711D. Washington, TE1010000000Defense
TacklesSacksInterceptionsFumblesname GP SOLO AST TOTAL SACK SCKYDS TFL PD INT FF FR M. Fitzpatrick, SAF15 5 10 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 E. Rowe, SAF16 2 8 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 C. Heyward, DT14 2 6 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 M. Robinson, LB13 2 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 L. Ogunjobi, DT12 3 5 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 K. Benton, DL11 4 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 E. Roberts, LB13 2 5 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 M. Jack, LB12 2 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 P. Peterson, CB14 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 A. Highsmith, LB12 1 3 1 7 1 0 0 0 0 M. Golden, LB12 1 3 1 7 1 0 0 0 0 M. Walker, LB11 2 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 D. Kazee, SAF11 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 J. Porter Jr., CB12 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 A. Watts, DT10 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 L. Wallace, CB10 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 M. Adams, DT10 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 N. Herbig, LB10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 C. Sullivan, CB10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 I. Loudermilk, DT10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Steelers Injury Report
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Player |
Pos |
Injury |
Injury Status |
---|---|---|---|
S
|
Neck - Not Specified
|
QUES: Out for season
|
|
CB
|
Concussion - Concussion
|
QUES: Out for season
|
|
RB
|
Undisclosed - Not Specified
|
QUES: Out for season
|
|
LB
|
Knee - MCL - Sprain
|
QUES: Out for season
|
|
DE
|
Pectoral - Surgery
|
QUES: Out for season
|
|
LB
|
Knee - Surgery
|
QUES: Out for season
|
|
CB
|
Knee - ACL - Surgery
|
QUES: Out for season
|
|
DE
|
Groin - Surgery
|
QUES: Out for season
|
Monday, March 18, 2024
Player |
Pos |
Injury |
Injury Status |
---|---|---|---|
WR
|
Concussion - Concussion
|
QUES: Out for season
|
|
CB
|
Concussion - Concussion
|
QUES: Out for season
|
|
LB
|
Knee - MCL - Sprain
|
QUES: Out for season
|
|
DT
|
Undisclosed - Not Specified
|
IR: Out for season
|
|
S
|
Neck - Not Specified
|
IR: Out for season
|
|
LB
|
Undisclosed - Not Specified
|
IR: Out for season
|
|
S
|
Ribs - Not Specified
|
IR: Out for season
|
|
RB
|
Undisclosed - Not Specified
|
IR: Out for season
|
|
LB
|
Knee - Surgery
|
IR: Out for season
|
|
CB
|
Knee - ACL - Surgery
|
IR: Out for season
|
|
LB
|
Achilles - Surgery
|
IR: Out for season
|
Monday, March 11, 2024
Player |
Pos |
Injury |
Injury Status |
---|---|---|---|
WR
|
Concussion - Concussion
|
QUES: Out for season
|
|
CB
|
Concussion - Concussion
|
QUES: Out for season
|
|
LB
|
Knee - MCL - Sprain
|
QUES: Out for season
|
|
DT
|
Undisclosed - Not Specified
|
IR: Out for season
|
|
S
|
Neck - Not Specified
|
IR: Out for season
|
|
LB
|
Undisclosed - Not Specified
|
IR: Out for season
|
|
S
|
Ribs - Not Specified
|
IR: Out for season
|
|
RB
|
Undisclosed - Not Specified
|
IR: Out for season
|
|
LB
|
Knee - Surgery
|
IR: Out for season
|
|
CB
|
Knee - ACL - Surgery
|
IR: Out for season
|
|
LB
|
Achilles - Surgery
|
IR: Out for season
|
Monday, March 4, 2024
Player |
Pos |
Injury |
Injury Status |
---|---|---|---|
LB
|
Knee - MCL - Sprain
|
QUES: Out for season
|
|
WR
|
Concussion - Concussion
|
QUES: Out for season
|
|
CB
|
Concussion - Concussion
|
QUES: Out for season
|
|
DT
|
Undisclosed - Not Specified
|
IR: Out for season
|
|
CB
|
Knee - ACL - Surgery
|
IR: Out for season
|
|
S
|
Neck - Not Specified
|
IR: Out for season
|
|
LB
|
Undisclosed - Not Specified
|
IR: Out for season
|
|
S
|
Ribs - Not Specified
|
IR: Out for season
|
|
LB
|
Knee - Surgery
|
IR: Out for season
|
|
RB
|
Undisclosed - Not Specified
|
IR: Out for season
|
|
LB
|
Achilles - Surgery
|
IR: Out for season
|
Steelers schedule
Steelers post season schedule
Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1/15 | L 17-31 | 0-1 |
Steelers regular season schedule
Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 9/10 | L 7-30 | 0-1 | |
2 | 9/18 | W 26-22 | 1-1 | |
3 | 9/24 | W 23-18 | 2-1 | |
4 | 10/1 | L 6-30 | 2-2 | |
5 | 10/8 | W 17-10 | 3-2 | |
6 | BYE | |||
7 | 10/22 | W 24-17 | 4-2 | |
8 | 10/29 | L 10-20 | 4-3 | |
9 | 11/2 | W 20-16 | 5-3 | |
10 | 11/12 | W 23-19 | 6-3 | |
11 | 11/19 | L 10-13 | 6-4 | |
12 | 11/26 | W 16-10 | 7-4 | |
13 | 12/3 | L 10-24 | 7-5 | |
14 | 12/7 | L 18-21 | 7-6 | |
15 | 12/16 | L 13-30 | 7-7 | |
16 | 12/23 | W 34-11 | 8-7 | |
17 | 12/31 | W 30-23 | 9-7 | |
18 | 1/6 | W 17-10 | 10-7 |
Steelers Depth Chart
offense
Starter |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
|
---|---|---|---|---|
QB
|
||||
RB
|
||||
WR
|
||||
WR
|
||||
WR
|
||||
TE
|
||||
FB
|
||||
LT
|
||||
LG
|
||||
C
|
||||
RG
|
||||
RT
|
defense
Starter |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
|
---|---|---|---|---|
LCB
|
||||
SS
|
||||
RCB
|
||||
NB
|
||||
NT
|
||||
ROLB
|
||||
LOLB
|
||||
DT
|
||||
DE
|
||||
RILB
|
||||
LILB
|
special teams
Starter |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
|
---|---|---|---|---|
P
|
||||
H
|
||||
PR
|
||||
KR
|
||||
LS
|
||||
K
|