The Pittsburgh Steelers seemed to be in good hands at the running back position when they let Le'Veon Bell walk for good this offseason.

After all, James Conner made the Pro Bowl in 2018 and showed a similar type of versatility that Bell did during his time with the club.

But Conner's 2019 campaign has not exactly gotten off to a great start, and on Sunday, things took a turn for the worse.

With the Steelers leading the San Francisco 49ers 20-17 with 5:29 left to play, Conner fumbled on Pittsburgh's 24-yard line, setting the 49ers up for a go-ahead touchdown which would prove to be the game-winner.

Conner didn't seem to be in much of a mood to talk after the game, giving reporters a series of brief answers in his postgame interview, but he called his fumble “frustrating,” according to Ray Fittipaldo of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Article Continues Below
More Pittsburgh Steelers News
Jan 11, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) reacts after a catch against the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth quarter in an AFC wild card game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
George Pickens replaced by Steelers star at Pittsburgh youth camp he bailed onBen Strauss ·
One mystery player in the middle, Aaron Rodgers, Alex Highsmith around him, Pittsburgh Steelers logo in the background
1 perfect Pittsburgh Steelers move to fill out roster before 2025 training campEnzo Flojo ·
steelers, steelers trade, pittsburgh steelers, cordarrelle patterson
1 obvious Pittsburgh Steelers trade candidate entering 2025 training campGarrett Kerman ·
Dec 15, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) warms up before a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
DK Metcalf a ‘big reason’ Aaron Rodgers signed with the SteelersMike Gianakos ·
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) looks over his helmet during minicamp at their South Side facility.
Aaron Rodgers promises to disappear when he retires from NFLBen Strauss ·
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs the ball against Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium.
Steelers’ Patrick Queen gets real on what’s motivating him this offseasonGuillermo Guajardo ·

Conner carried the ball 13 times for 43 yards while catching four passes for 14 yards.

On the season overall, Conner has accumulated just 97 yards on 34 rushing attempts, good for a meager average of 2.9 yards per carry. He has also caught 11 passes for 70 yards.

It's not the start that the 24-year-old expected, especially after racking up 973 yards and 12 touchdowns while registering 4.5 yards per attempt and snaring 55 balls for 497 yards and a score last season, leading to a Pro Bowl appearance.

The injury-riddled Steelers are now 0-3 on the year, and with Ben Roethlisberger out for the remainder of the season, there doesn't seem to be much hope that things will turn around.

Pittsburgh will return home to battle the Cincinnati Bengals next Monday.