5 Steelers quickly losing leverage on 2021 roster spots
By Andrew Falce
Steelers Benny Snell
It was clear early in the offseason that the Steelers don’t view Benny Snell (or any of the other running backs for that matter) as legitimate starters. The team was hot on the Najee Harris trail, and it all cumulated in him being the team’s first-round pick in what was one of the easiest to predict draft picks of the year. That didn’t mean that the team would cut Snell, but he would have to prove his worth as a backup.
He has done little to better his position with the team through camp though. Injuries have hampered him so far, and he has yet to record a carry in preseason. Even in the drills, he has been active for, he has looked like the least athletic of the backs. The rest of the group has actually been playing rather well lately on top of it.
Kalen Ballage, the player that poses the biggest threat to Snell, looked great in the Hall of Fame game and has shined in practice. Meanwhile, both Anthony McFarland and Jaylen Samuels are fighting it out for what may be the last roster spot as the change of pace back (a battle that has been closer than most thought it would be). Snell went from a potential low-end starter for the team to now being on the outside looking in at a roster spot. He has to be hoping that the Steelers keep four running backs at this point, as his path to the roster otherwise isn’t great.