Veteran RB, special-teamer Jonathan Ward impressing in tryout with Steelers

Because he entered the league during a 2020 calendar year that should be forgettable for us all, Jonathan Ward was robbed of the experience of attending an NFL rookie minicamp.

Until now.

Ward, now a 26-year-old, four-year veteran running back, is at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex this week on a tryout basis hoping to earn a contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“I guess I finally get my minicamp since I didn’t get one in 2020 due to covid,” Ward said with a smile after Saturday’s walkthrough-style practice. “First one, so yeah, so I guess it’s a blessing.”

Ward has appeared in 42 NFL regular-season games, including 32 with the Arizona Cardinals and 10 over the past six months with the Tennessee Titans.

What has stood out the most during his brief introduction to the Steelers?

“The weather,” Ward said, laughing, while standing in light drizzle on a chilly early May afternoon. “Definitely. You’ve got all four seasons in one day. So that’s different, coming from (Arizona) and Tennessee.”

Climate aside, Ward could have an opportunity to make — initially — the Steelers’ 90-man camp roster, and an outside shot to stick come the regular season as a special-teamer who can line up at fullback, H-back, out of the slot and even depth tailback.

“That has always been my mindset since I stepped on the football field as a kid,” Ward said. “Everybody wants to be that (star) guy, and you are that guy in your own sense — but you know as a professional I am just coming out here and filing a role, whatever they may be and that’s what I try to hone my game in, be versatile.”

In his brief time with the Steelers and among players several years his junior in both age an experience, Ward appears to be making an impression. Video taken during the period open to media recording showed running backs coach Eddie Faulkner complimenting Ward on his blocking prowess.

“He said I’ve got ‘old-man’ hands,” Ward said. “I guess that’s good, being the old guy in the room. Guess I wouldn’t want to have ‘young-guy’ hands.”

The 5-foot-11, 195-pound Ward will await word after rookie camp concludes Sunday on if he will be signed and asked to return the following week when organized team activities begin. A first-time NFL free agent, Ward is content to roll with the proverbial punches.

“My agent he reached out to me and just told me, ‘Pack your bags, you’re going to minicamp this weekend,’” Ward said in explaining how he ended up with the Steelers. “And that’s all I needed.”