Pittsburgh, PA – June 20, 2025
As the Pittsburgh Steelers continue to reshape their running back room in the wake of Najee Harris’ departure to the Los Angeles Chargers, the team has quietly moved on from a name that few expected to stick but many had quietly rooted for: Jonathan Ward.
Ward, a five-year NFL veteran and special teams contributor, was officially released this week after signing a reserve/futures contract with the team in January. Though never projected to be a centerpiece of the offense, Ward had been considered a dark horse candidate to earn a roster spot as a back-end depth option or core special teamer.
The 6-foot, 202-pound running back originally entered the league in 2020 as an undrafted free agent out of Central Michigan, signing with the Arizona Cardinals. He later spent time with the Tennessee Titans before landing in Pittsburgh for the 2024 season.
Ward logged 24 preseason snaps last year with the Steelers and later saw limited regular-season action — including 17 snaps in Week 5 against the Cowboys, followed by 52 more snaps over the next three weeks. He finished the season mostly on the practice squad.
In total, Ward has appeared in 46 NFL games, recording 22 carries for 91 yards, one reception for 3 yards, and making a noticeable impact on special teams with 18 tackles and one forced fumble.
With Harris gone and Jaylen Warren stepping into a leading role — alongside rookie Kaleb Johnson and other younger backs vying for roster spots — the Steelers appear to be favoring fresh legs and upside over veteran familiarity. Ward, while dependable, simply became the odd man out in a crowded and evolving backfield.
Though his chapter in Pittsburgh may be over, Ward’s athleticism and experience could still attract attention from other teams seeking depth and special teams help. For now, however, the Steelers’ backfield reset continues — quietly, decisively, and with one fewer veteran in the mix.
