The Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to target a running back this offseason after opting not to pick up Najee Harris’ fifth-year option.

With this year’s draft boasting an impressive pool of running back talent, several mock drafts have linked the Steelers to selecting one in the first round. A frequently mentioned prospect is Ashton Jeanty, whose standout season has significantly boosted his draft stock.

However, former ESPN analyst and current Ringer analyst Todd McShay has a different prediction. Instead of Jeanty, McShay projects the Steelers to take Omarion Hampton with the 21st overall pick in the first round.

“With Najee Harris slated to be an unrestricted free agent and Jaylen Warren headed toward restricted free agency, the Steelers don’t have an obvious in-house candidate to lead their running back room in 2025.” McShay wrote. “Hampton’s a downhill runner who brings the yards-after-contact skills that offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has historically coveted. He’d be an immediate talent upgrade at the position from a skill set and contract perspective, functioning as a cheaper, higher-upside version of Harris. Pittsburgh also has needs in the secondary and could target FSU cornerback Azareye’h Thomas with this pick if it decides to address the running back position later in the draft or in free agency.”

With several options available, the Steelers could choose to prioritize other positions in the first round and target a running back later in the draft.

If they take this approach, they should still have solid options at the position while also retaining Jaylen Warren’s services for at least another season.

Steelers Trade for Matthew Stafford Just Makes Sense

The Pittsburgh Steelers are in urgent need of a quarterback, and with the LA Rams granting Matthew Stafford permission to explore a trade, a potential move to Pittsburgh could be in play.

With the Steelers likely parting ways with both Justin Fields and Russell Wilson this offseason, they could be looking to completely revamp their quarterback room for the second year in a row. While there’s no guarantee a trade will happen, Stafford’s availability and the Steelers’ potential aggressiveness in the market make the possibility intriguing.

One proposed trade scenario saw Stafford and a 2025 third-round pick sent to the Browns in exchange for a 2026 first-round pick and a 2025 third-round pick. If the Steelers could craft a similar or better offer, they might be able to secure the veteran QB while maintaining enough draft capital to develop a young signal-caller.

Last season, Stafford played 16 games, completing 65.8% of his passes for 3,762 yards, 20 touchdowns, and eight interceptions—numbers that would be a major boost for Pittsburgh’s offense.

The Kansas City Chiefs have several key free agents this offseason, including defensive lineman Charles Omenihu.

The sixth-year veteran out of Texas has spent the past two seasons in Kansas City, showing flashes of high-level production but also struggling with consistency and availability—making him one of the more intriguing options on the market.

This week, Omenihu made it clear he’s open to moving on, sending a message to potential suitors ahead of free agency next month.

During an appearance on FanDuel’s Up & Adams show with Kay Adams on Thursday, Omenihu was asked what teams would be getting if they signed him. The 27-year-old responded by emphasizing his desire to prove what he can do over a full season, showcasing his impact across all 18 games—a full 17-game regular season plus a playoff appearance.

“It’s been two years since I’ve had a full season,” Omenihu explained. “I always kind of tell myself, ‘What’s your next motivator?’ Okay, my next motivator is to show people what an 18-game season looks like for me.”

Omenihu’s tenure with the Chiefs has been a rollercoaster. He joined the team as a rotational pass rusher ahead of the 2023 season but missed the first six games due to a suspension stemming from a domestic violence incident. He made an immediate impact upon his return, recording a sack in his debut against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 7 and adding a half-sack the following week against the Denver Broncos. He then went on a strong run, registering at least half a sack in each of the final five games of the regular season.

After setting a career-high with seven sacks, Omenihu added another in the AFC Championship win over the Baltimore Ravens before suffering a torn ACL. The injury sidelined him for the first 11 games of the 2024 season, and he managed just one sack in six games upon his return.

Despite the setbacks, Omenihu believes he found his rhythm in the playoffs, notching a sack in the divisional round win over the Houston Texans and contributing two tackles, a tackle for loss, and a pass deflection in the AFC Championship Game against the Buffalo Bills. While he struggled in the Super Bowl, he feels his performances in the first two playoff games better reflect the kind of player he is—something he hopes teams will keep in mind as he enters free agency next month.

“When I had the 11 games and I had the crazy streak…that was like a taste. I was like, the tip of the iceberg. Okay, this is you. And I had the unfortunate thing and whatever, came back and helped the team.”That Texans game was me. That Buffalo game was me,” Omenihu said. “I feel like I played decent. But to be able to give a team a full season, full strength, full offseason, you’re going to get a guy that you’re not going to be able to run my way. Tight ends [are] not going to block me. …It’s just not gonna happen. Line me up against anybody, to be honest, it won’t happen. And then you’ll get a guy that’s versatile, can rush anywhere, understands protections, can help a D-line room, kind of like everything.”

Omenihu reinforced his case by highlighting his adaptability to different systems and his role as a mentor for younger players, having gained experience with three different teams throughout his career.

“I’ve been in three systems where I understand how to manipulate protection,” Omenihu said. “You’ll get a guy that don’t too much of the rah-rah and I try to lead by example. I try to just guide guys if they want to. So you’ll get a guy that’s going to be good in the locker room, help the young guys out. And I just want to sack the quarterback. I just want to sack the quarterback.”

Omenihu made a compelling case for himself, and one key factor works in the Chiefs’ favor. However, it’s uncertain whether Kansas City will pursue a reunion. While he has demonstrated flashes of high-level play, his inconsistency could impact his market value. That said, the Chiefs might still find him valuable, especially after Felix Anudike-Uzomah struggled in his role during Omenihu’s absence earlier in the season.

As he enters free agency, Omenihu remains an intriguing option.

The San Francisco 49ers could use reinforcements on the interior of their offensive line. This offseason, bolstering the trenches will be a key focus for general manager John Lynch. One free-agent guard, in particular, could be a compelling option for the 49ers to consider.

Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle B.J. Hill is set to be one of the top interior defenders available in free agency this offseason. With the Bengals working to manage contracts for Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Trey Hendrickson, Hill could be the odd man out.

The 49ers could benefit from adding another interior lineman alongside Javon Hargrave, and Hill fits the profile of an underrated but impactful defender. The 29-year-old has been a key starter for the Bengals over the past three seasons, recording 175 combined tackles and 10.5 sacks in 48 games.

Hill would bring veteran leadership and strong run defense to San Francisco’s defensive line. While he’s looking for a solid payday, he isn’t expected to command top-tier defensive tackle money.

Spotrac projects his market value at $9 million per season, with a potential two-year deal worth under $20 million—significantly less than the top-tier defensive tackles earning over $20 million annually. Given his reliability and steady production, Hill could be a smart investment for the 49ers.

Jaguars hire Rams director of scouting James Gladstone as GM

The San Francisco 49ers won’t be losing Josh Williams to the Jacksonville Jaguars after all. On Friday, the Jaguars announced the hiring of Los Angeles Rams director of scouting James Gladstone as their new general manager.

That’s one less concern for the 49ers. While this was mentioned in the Golden Nuggets earlier, it’s worth acknowledging again—especially since San Francisco has repeatedly lost key staff members to other teams over the years.

The 49ers have consistently seen coaches and front office personnel poached by rival teams, with the most notable recent departure being Adam Peters to the Washington Commanders. This ongoing trend is a testament to the team’s success and the value other organizations see in bringing that winning culture into their own operations.

The fear of losing Williams was legitimate, as he was reportedly one of the top finalists for the Jaguars’ GM position. With Gladstone also among the final candidates, there were no surprises or last-minute hires. Gladstone now takes over for Trent Baalke, who was dismissed in January. Given Baalke’s past as the 49ers’ former GM, it would have been ironic if he had managed to take another key figure from San Francisco on his way out.

While this decision puts the Rams in a tough spot—forcing them to either promote internally or find a replacement for Gladstone—it does come with one downside for the 49ers: no compensatory picks. Had Williams been hired, San Francisco would have received a compensatory third-round pick in both the 2025 and 2026 NFL Drafts under the NFL’s initiative to promote minority hiring in front offices and coaching staffs.

As for other departures, the 49ers did lose Brandon Staley on Friday, as he accepted the defensive coordinator role with the New Orleans Saints. For now, that appears to be the only exit of the day.