Steelers release running back Jonathan Ward off the 90-man roster
As is always the case this time of year, the NFL offseason roster is fluid as teams make constant adjustments. Sometimes the adjustment is due to an injury, other times it is to free up a roster spot for someone who provides more value. Either way, players are always being released and added to the 90-man offseason roster.
For the Pittsburgh Steelers they recently made one of those adjustments by releasing running back Jonathan Ward.
This per Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
The Steelers released RB Jonathan Ward, who bounced between the practice squad and active roster last season.
— Ray Fittipaldo (@rayfitt1) June 19, 2025
What was unique about this release is it wasn’t announced whether it was due to injury, or for another reason. Nonetheless, the Steelers have created a roster spot by allowing Ward to find a new team. As Fittipaldo stated in his Twitter post, Ward was a game day promotion on more than one occasion last year, bouncing back and forth from the practice squad.
Last year Ward appeared in 4 games with 5 attempts for 22 yards. The majority of Ward’s playing time happened on special teams, with limited action on the offensive side of the football.
Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for their annual Training Camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Surprising. Hurleman/Sermon must really be impressive. And they still have some wants/needs on offense, at least.
The big RB question will be if Patterson is retained and if they give 4 RBs game day helmets so patterson can return kicks.
I can see a situation where ward asked for this, as there just isn’t room for more RBs this year. Maybe that was clear after minicamp to him.
Why Patterson remains on this squad is beyond me. He looked completely done last year outside of a couple of runs. Amongst those 90 guys there must be someone better.
One would think so, for sure.