Steelers Now
The Pittsburgh Steelers have re-signed running back Jonathan Ward to a future contract for the 2025 season, a league source confirmed to Steelers Now. Aaron Wilson of KPRC-TV first reported the news.
Ward, 27, spent the entire 2024 season bouncing between the Steelers’ active roster and practice squad. Ward initially joined the Steelers as a pro tryout at rookie minicamp. He earned a contract there and was with the club through the offseason, training camp and preseason. He was released in August and re-signed to the practice squad.
As the team dealt with injuries to both Jaylen Warren and Cordarrelle Patterson, Ward was elevated from the practice squad to the active roster the maximum of three times. He was then promoted to the active roster on Oct. 28 and waived on Nov. 9. He was re-signed to the practice squad on Nov. 13 and then once again added to the 53-man roster on Nov. 16. He was waived again on Dec. 4 and re-signed to the practice squad on Dec. 6, where he finished the season.
In total, Ward played in four game for the Steelers this season, rushing five times for 22 yards. Ward’s most significant contributions have been as a part of the Steelers’ league-best special teams units. Ward played a role on kickoff, kick return, punt and punt return units for the Steelers, earning a season-high 19 reps in the team’s Week 8 about the New York Giants. He finished he season with two special teams tackles.
The 27-year-old Ward is in his fifth NFL season, and has previously played with the Arizona Cardinals and Tennessee Titans and also spent time with the New York Jets. His most significant contributions came in 2021, when he rushed nine times for 33 yards and caught three passes for 34 yards in 13 games with the Cardinals.
With the signing of Ward, the Steelers now have 76 players on their offseason roster. They have four running backs under contract for 2025, with Cordarrelle Patterson, Aaron Shampklin and Evan Hull joining Ward. Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren are both set to become free agents, with Warren a pending restricted free agent and Harris unrestricted after the Steelers declined his fifth-year option.
