5 teams who should trade for Ezekiel Elliott this offseason

Speaking of running games that aren’t any good, the Steelers are 31st in the league heading into a get-right spot Monday night Week 15 against the Cincinnati Bengals. James Conner has been banged up again this season, and he has not been all that good when he has been available (4.3 yards per carry, less than 50 rushing yards in four of five games heading into Week 15).

Benny Snell is capable running back, but his upside is not fantastic and it’s hard to say he’s going to be a star. Conner is slated to be a free agent, which may lead to a more consistent big role for Snell in 2021, with Anthony McFarland in the mix.

The issue for the Steelers, if they want to do anything notable in the offseason, is cap space. Some tough decisions will have to be made, even if there’s optimism the cap won’t be as low as it has seemed likely to be for 2021 as the NFL emerges from the pandemic. One thing is certain though, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will be back unless he retires.

Having Roethlisberger under center automatically keeps the Steelers in a win-now window. And based on this year’s increasingly predictable, pass-heavy offense that can’t threaten downfield, they’d do well to take the ball out of Big Ben’s hands more next year. Getting him to play along with that plan means finding a proven lead back. On that note I give you Elliott, with restructures, cuts etc. to make room for him.