Steelers 2-a-days: James Conner in contract year, Anthony Coyle added from XFL to OT mix
Editor’s note: Leading up to a unique Pittsburgh Steelers training camp staged at Heinz Field this year, the Tribune-Review will be running through the team’s 90-man roster, assessing each player’s outlook for the 2020 season. The breakdown will go through the roster, in mostly alphabetical order, two per day, between June 9 and July 23, a day that was originally planned to be reporting day for players to camp. (Contract data courtesy spotrac.com)
RB JAMES CONNER
Experience: 4th season
Contract status: $1.002 million cap hit in 2020, set to become free agent after season
2020 outlook: Conner has missed at least part of 15 of the past 35 Steelers’ games (including playoffs) because of a variety of injuries. But when he has played, he has been remarkably productive: in the seven games over the past two seasons when Conner has had at least 20 touches, he has scored in every one (12 touchdowns in those games) and posted between 119-212 yards from scrimmage in each of them. He is by far the Steelers’ most talented back and could be a significant part of a much-improved offense in 2020 assuming he stays healthy.
Bottom line: While the market for NFL running backs is always tricky, it’s conceivable Conner could play his way into a lucrative contract. Another injury-filled campaign, though, could leave him settling for a deal closer to the veteran’s minimum. The most likely outcome is probably somewhere in the middle.
OL ANTHONY COYLE
Experience: Property of four NFL teams since going undrafted in 2018; played in XFL this spring
Contract status: $610,000 cap hit in 2020, under team control for at least four seasons
2020 outlook: Coyle is a 6-foot-4, 298-pound lineman listed at tackle on the roster. He was a starter at guard, though, for the XFL’s New York Guardians earlier this year before the season was halted because of coronavirus concerns. Coyle was one of nine players signed out of that league by the Steelers. He spent time on the Atlanta Falcons practice squad late last season and was part of training camps with the Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers his first two years out of college at FCS Fordham.
Bottom line: The Steelers have five tackles assured to make the 53-man roster (although Matt Feiler could move to guard). There is a path to a practice-squad spot available, though.
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Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.
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