Steelers 'Believe it or Not': Team's belief in James Conner bouncing back in 2020 - TribLIVE

The building of the 2020 Pittsburgh Steelers is about to begin.

NFL free agency starts March 18. The NFL Draft begins April 23.

So we have been taking a look at some of the things the Steelers have told us about what they plan to do this offseason.

And if we believe them.

Or if we think head coach Mike Tomlin, general manager Kevin Colbert and team president Art Rooney II are blowing smoke.

So far I’m buying what the Steelers were selling about how they are “prioritizing” an effort to keep Bud Dupree. And I think they are being transparent in their desire to fully move on from any future reconciliation with Antonio Brown — at least as a player.

But I’m dubious of their claim that they are “comfortable” with the backup quarterback situation. And there’s no way I’m going to co-sign on the idea that they really think that they “might have a better Ben Roethlisberger” coming out of his elbow surgery.

Our last installment of “Steelers Believe it or Not” is on the future of James Conner. And it’s not quite a scenario like the other posts.

It’s more of a “Who do we believe?” situation.

Quotes from Tomlin, Colbert and Rooney on James Conner

Mike Tomlin on James Conner during his season-ending press conference (12/31)

When Tomlin was asked how he could evaluate James Conner’s season, given how often the running back was hurt last year, he did nothing to tamp down the growing frustration within the fan base about Conner’s frequent injuries.

Conner has missed 11 full games over his first three seasons. That’s not to mention other contests — such as four in 2019 against the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns — when he left early due to quad and shoulder injuries.

“That’s a big component of (that evaluation),” Tomlin replied. “He didn’t spend a lot of time on the field healthy. But that’s as much a part of the game as blocking and tackling. We’ll assess it with him in an effort to minimize (injury) to what degree we can moving forward. But injuries are part of the game.”

When Tomlin was asked about how the Steelers running backs currently on the depth chart could potentially have roles redefined, he said, “We are going to be defining that as we move forward in 2020.

“What somebody’s role was in 2019, I’m not going to put them in a box and define them for 2020.”

I asked him if the team may be inclined to add to the running backs room via free agency or the draft, or if he would prefer to just see the ones on his roster play better.

“I’m not ready to talk about what 2020 looks like in terms of our agenda from a free-agency standpoint or a draft standpoint,” Tomlin said.

Kevin Colbert on James Conner at the NFL Combine (Feb. 25)

“He’s still a young player,” Colbert said. “We know there is talent there. We hope James can regain it, and if he’s healthy, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t.”

Conner, though, has missed games in all three of his NFL seasons, and Colbert termed those as acute.

“It’s not like it’s one injury that kept showing up,” he said. “He suffered different injuries at different times. I don’t think that is who James is. We hope he gets back to 2018 James.”

Colbert added, “We don’t want to say we don’t have a starting running back because we feel we do.”

Art Rooney II on James Conner (Jan. 21)

“James, unfortunately, had back luck in terms of injuries but, when he has been healthy, he’s been a very productive player for us. We would love to see him come back and be a healthy player over a course of a season.”

Who do we believe?

Tomlin’s comments certainly are a far cry from saying, “We are sticking with James Conner and plan on him being our lead running back in 2020.”

Colbert’s statements weren’t quite to that level, either, but they were a heckuva lot closer.

Rooney II was somewhere between Colbert and Tomlin. Somewhere between cautious optimism and denial.

Hmmm.

My head tells me Tomlin’s quotes are a better representation of what the Steelers’ view of the running back situation should be.

But my gut tells me Colbert’s statements are more toward the franchise’s party line.

After all, he spoke six weeks after Tomlin did. Tomlin was probably still seething from not having Conner due to his latest bout with injuries in the games against the Jets and Baltimore Ravens at the end of the season. He was probably still a bit raw from missing out on the playoffs — again — and in no mood to be diplomatic.

Time heals all wounds. Maybe even some of Conner’s.

As a result, Colbert’s optimism strikes me as more of what the Steelers are thinking when it comes to their view of the running back room: “Let’s hope Conner stays healthy. And if he doesn’t, maybe Benny Snell can make a jump in year two like both Conner and Le’Veon Bell did.”

In recent weeks, my belief is that bubbling waters cooled when it came to frustration from Steelers brass over Conner’s continued absences.

I’m betting reality set in, too. This is a team that may have to address tight end, line and wide receiver on offense before it gets to running back. Don’t forget the outside linebacker position on defense if they decide to let Bud Dupree walk.

That’s to say nothing of all the talented running backs that may fly off the draft board before pick No. 49 rolls around for the Steelers.

The club may stick with Conner on top of the running back depth chart whether they want to or not. So it’s best to start talking themselves into embracing that eventuality now.

Do they actually believe it?

See that last line directly above.

Should we believe it?

We should believe that Conner is a good running back when healthy.

Yes. He is. Rooney II and Colbert are spot on there.

But we should also believe Tomlin’s honest angst regarding Conner’s availability to stay healthy.

That’s where my head is. And if the Steelers feel that their most talented option in the draft is a running back in either the second or third round, and there is no better tight end available, they should take that running back and try to improve at the position.

Or, at least, become more reliable at the position.

So what was our final tally between what we believed and what we didn’t?

Two that we did. Two that we didn’t. And this one was kind of a tie.

Hey, .500! Just like the team itself.

Go figure.

Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at tbenz@tribweb.com or via Twitter. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.