NFL rumors: Stefon Diggs answers Bills drama, Patriots optimistic in DeAndre Hopkins deal, Steelers can bring back rushing attack glory days

NFL rumors: Steelers can bring back rushing attack glory days with 1 move

The running back market has created plenty of debate this offseason. Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs are holding out seeking a new long-term contract and not signing their franchise tags just yet. Not to mention that no running back is receiving the lucrative deal the likes of Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara signed. One player who has yet to sign with a team is Leonard Fournette.

On Wednesday, Fournette made an appearance on NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football.” When they discussed the best landing spots for Fournette, former Chargers quarterback Ryan Leaf said that the Pittsburgh Steelers would be an ideal fit.

"“I am a huge Pittsburgh Steelers fan,” Leaf said, h/t Steelers Now. “You put him in the backfield with Najee, you get inside the 10-yard line, and Kenny Pickett won’t even need to throw the ball. All he’d do is turn around and hand the football to his guys, and that’s how Pittsburgh can take the AFC North.”"

Adding Fournette to the running back depth chart alongside Najee Harris? That would be quite the duo. As Leaf brings up, that would be a terrifying running back duo for defenses to face at the goal line.

Fournette spent the previous three seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In 2021, Fournette averaged 4.5 yards per carry by accumulating 812 rushing yards on 180 attempts in 14 games, 13 of which were starts. But this past season, the Buccaneers rushing attack was the worst in football, as they averaged just 76.9 yards per game. Fournette put up 668 yards on 189 carries, giving him an average of 3.5 yards per attempt.

While Fournette hasn’t put up bell-cow numbers this past season, he could be a true goal-line threat and potential touchdown vulture if he were to sign with the Steelers. As of now, there is no word on if the team would be interested in bringing him in.