Editor’s note: This is Part 2 of a 12-part series breaking down the Pittsburgh Steelers at each position in the offseason. All salary cap information courtesy spotrac.com.

Maybe the Pittsburgh Steelers would have run the ball more frequently — and perhaps more effectively — if Le’Veon Bell had reported for the season opener.

That’s one of the great mysteries of the 2018 season, trying to decipher how much Bell’s season-long absence impacted the Steelers and their 9-6-1 record.

One thing is for certain: Without Bell, the Steelers put less emphasis on running and more on Ben Roethlisberger’s passing than in previous seasons when both players were in uniform.

The Steelers passed the ball on 67.4 percent of offensive plays. Only the Green Bay Packers threw it more frequently. The Steelers attempted 21.6 runs a game. Again, only the Packers had fewer carries on a weekly basis.

What did the two teams have in common? They both underachieved and missed the playoffs.

It’s worth noting the six most pass-heavy teams (and eight of the top nine) did not make the playoffs. If the Steelers take a more balanced approach next season, they can build around several returning running backs, most notably James Conner.

Bell will become a free agent again in March and the Steelers could use the transition tag to retain him, but all indications are the organization wants to rid itself of any contractual headaches involving him.

Conner, who will be entering his third NFL season, finished 27 yards short of a 1,000-yard season while missing three games with an ankle injury. Jaylen Samuels became more involved in the offense, particularly as a pass-catcher out of the backfield, during Conner’s injury and should carry a bigger role next season. He had 142 yards rushing (and 172 from scrimmage) against New England in one of the most important games of the season.

The Steelers will enter the offseason searching for a veteran running back to compete with Conner and Samuels. Stevan Ridley, a free agent, produced little in a limited role and had a critical lost fumble against New Orleans. Another option for the Steelers is to wait for the draft to add another running back, but there are too many other needs on defense (and perhaps wide receiver) to make this a priority.

Another decision will involve the future of fullback Roosevelt Nix. He’s under contract for three more seasons and he was heavily used on special teams, but his services rarely were used in offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner’s first season.

Nix was on the field for only 9.8 of all offensive snaps. That’s down from 16.4 percent in 2017 — before the Steelers signed him to a four-year, $6.975 million contract. If the Steelers are going to recommit to the running game, then it would help to have Nix line up as a blocking back more often than one out of every 10 plays. If Nix isn’t going to contribute on offense, what’s the point of having his seven-figure salary on the roster?

Trey Edmunds was promoted from the practice squad late in the season and provides depth. Ralph Webb was added to the practice squad in December when Edmunds joined the 53-man roster.

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Offseason outlook: Running backs

Returners

• James Conner, 2 years left on contract, $844,572 cap hit for 2019

• Jaylen Samuels, 3 years left on contract, $634,516 cap hit for 2019

• Trey Edmunds, 1 year left on contract, $645,000 cap hit for 2019

• Roosevelt Nix, 3 years left on contract, $1.6875 million cap hit for 2019

• Ralph Webb, 2 years left on contract, $570,000 cap hit for 2019

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Free agents

• Le’Veon Bell

• Stevan Ridley

Coming Wednesday: Wide receivers

Joe Rutter is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Joe at jrutter@tribweb.com or via Twitter @tribjoerutter.

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