The Pittsburgh Steelers are looking to add more targets in time for the looming return of long-time veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in the upcoming season. The team snagged former Philadelphia Eagles running back Wendell Smallwood from the free-agent market to add more depth to their offense. The deal agreed by both sides is set to be at a one-year agreement.
The Pittsburgh Steelers announced their latest signing on Twitter:
We’ve signed RB Wendell Smallwood to a one-year contract.https://t.co/k97qlGc4mc
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) July 28, 2020
As a true freshman at West Virginia University, Smallwood primarily played as a wideout and also moonlighted as a kick returner. As a junior in 2015, Smallwood rushed for a Big 12-leading 1,519 yards on 238 carries with nine touchdowns. He then decided to forego his senior year to proceed with the draft preparations.
He was eventually selected by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 153rd pick in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He spent three seasons with the team and won the Super Bowl LII along the way. In 2019, Smallwood was claimed off waivers by Washington where he recorded 22 carries for 81 rushing yards to go along with nine receptions for 64 receiving yards in 15 games played.
Smallwood will most likely take the roster spot of defensive back Arrion Springs, who was recently placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team. The four-year veteran will be coming to a Steelers side that finished with a subpar 8-8 campaign last season. The team placed second behind the division-leading Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North.
With the return of Big Ben and Juju Smith-Schuster, the Steelers are looking to make a better run this upcoming season. Week 1 action will commence as the team visits the New York Giants on September 14 at the MetLife Stadium.
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