7 Steelers training camp battles that are heating up in 2021

Benny Snell vs Kalen Ballage

While the Steelers kept four running backs on the roster last season, there is a very real chance the team goes back to only carrying three this year. Expectations are that Najee Harris will be the bell-cow for the team, so having a fourth running back rostered makes little sense. While one could throw Anthony McFarland’s name into this battle, his speed and change of pace ability give the team a different element at running back. His competition would be more so with Jaylen Samuels, and it would be shocking if he lost that.

That leaves Benny Snell and Kalen Ballage battling it out for potentially only one backup spot. While the team has a draft pick invested in Snell, he is far from a lock to make the roster. Despite being a big power back, Snell struggled heavily in short-yardage last season. Sure, the offensive line deserves some blame, but Snell struggled to hit the hole and push the pile forward whenever the team called upon him in short-yardage situations.

Looking at the stats, Ballage and Snell are a similar style of back. Both are backup quality and have the body size to be short-yardage specialists as well as special teams contributors, but the difference is how effective Ballage was last season in short-yardage for the Chargers. Snell has the advantage going into camp due to his familiarity with the team and him being a better special teams’ options, but if Ballage can prove to be a better runner, don’t be surprised if the team moves on from Snell.