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Jonathan Dwyer | Running Back

Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Age / DOB:  (23) / 7/26/1989
Ht / Wt:  5'11' / 229
College: Georgia Tech
Contract: view contract details
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Recent News

NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah has "heard" the Steelers are trying to trade Jonathan Dwyer.
It's not surprising after Friday's second-round selection of Le'Veon Bell. Dwyer is in a contract season and doesn't have a future in Pittsburgh. While he has some appeal as a power back with a passable 4.28 career YPC average, Dwyer's lack of passing-game and special teams value will sink his trade-market worth. The Steelers would probably take a sixth- or seventh-round pick in exchange. Apr 27 - 11:29 AM
Source: Daniel Jeremiah on Twitter

Highest Searched Players over the last 7 days


Player News

Date:
Jonathan Dwyer - RB - Steelers

The Steelers have decided that Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman are complementary backs.

It's an easy self-evaluation for the coaches. Given ample opportunities last year, Dwyer mustered 3.99 YPC and two touchdowns while Redman was at 3.72 YPC. The Steelers are expected to draft a running back in the second or third round, and could pair that rookie with a veteran free agent such as Ahmad Bradshaw or Beanie Wells. Dwyer will be a role player at best this season.
Related: Isaac Redman
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Apr 24 - 10:25 AM
Jonathan Dwyer - RB - Steelers

Steelers re-signed restricted free agent RB Jonathan Dwyer to a one-year, $1.323 million contract.

Dwyer wasted no time inking the deal and "wanted to prove a point." In his third season out of Georgia Tech, Dwyer rushed for 623 yards and two touchdowns on 156 carries. He had back-to-back 100-yard efforts in the middle of the season, but his play was inconsistent and ultimately disappointing down the stretch. Dwyer enters the heart of the offseason as Pittsburgh's top back, but look for the Steelers to try and add some competition.
Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter
Mar 11 - 11:19 PM
Jonathan Dwyer - RB - Steelers

Steelers extended original-pick tenders to restricted free agent RBs Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman.

Pittsburgh will enter the heart of the offseason with Dwyer under control as its top back, and Redman as the projected third-down specialist. They could always rescind the tenders if Dwyer and Redman opt not to sign, and the Steelers use a high draft pick on a running back like Eddie Lacy. Dwyer disappointed in 2012 after a hot start. Redman defines plodder, lacking big-play run skills.
Related: Isaac Redman
Source: ESPN.com
Mar 9 - 3:59 PM
Jonathan Dwyer - RB - Steelers

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette suggests that the Steelers may not tender restricted free agent Jonathan Dwyer.

If Dwyer failed to receive a tender, he'd become an unrestricted free agent. The Steelers view neither Dwyer nor fellow RFA Isaac Redman as viable starters, so the thinking here is that they wouldn't want to commit $2.7 million to two backup running backs. Redman is expected to be tendered and return as a third-down back. Dwyer, 23, may be allowed to move on.
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Feb 17 - 1:43 PM
Jonathan Dwyer - RB - Steelers

The Steelers don't view Jonathan Dwyer or Isaac Redman as starting options for 2013.

Not surprisingly. Both Dwyer and Redman are restricted free agents this offseason, and both could find their way back to Pittsburgh. However, their inability to make defenders miss and lack of consistency leaves GM Kevin Colbert on the search for a top back through the draft or free agency.
Related: Isaac Redman
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Jan 20 - 12:27 PM
Jonathan Dwyer - RB - Steelers

Jonathan Dwyer led the Steelers with 52 yards on 11 carries and added one reception for nine yards versus the Browns in Week 17.

Despite being outplayed by Rashard Mendenhall a week ago, Dwyer spearheaded the three-man committee in the finale. He had a chance at a touchdown but dropped a pass at the 1-yard line. Offered a prime opportunity to put a stranglehold on the starting job for 2013, Dwyer stumbled to the finish line with a 3.2 YPC average over the final six games. The restricted free agent will be back in Pittsburgh, likely as the backup to a free agent signee or draft pick.
Sun, Dec 30, 2012 04:26:00 PM
Jonathan Dwyer - RB - Steelers

Jonathan Dwyer rushed 14 times for 39 yards in Sunday's loss to the Bengals.

Dwyer started and received the first six carries before losing snaps to Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman on third-downs. He hasn't had a 100-yard game since Week 8 and his struggles continued against the Bengals' dominant run defense. The Steelers seem likely to address their running back situation in the offseason. Mendenhall finished with 50 yards on 11 carries in his first game back from suspension.
Sun, Dec 23, 2012 05:19:00 PM
Jonathan Dwyer - RB - Steelers

Coach Mike Tomlin confirmed he will stick with Jonathan Dwyer as his starter.

Tomlin will "find a role" for reinstated Rashard Mendenhall. Isaac Redman will stick as the No. 2 man. Dwyer has been unimpressive over the last three games as the starter, averaging just 3.12 YPC on 33 totes. He'll be facing a nasty Bengals' front seven that ranks ninth against the run this week.
Related: Rashard Mendenhall, Isaac Redman
Source: Ed Bouchette on Twitter
Tue, Dec 18, 2012 12:48:00 PM
Jonathan Dwyer - RB - Steelers

Jonathan Dwyer rushed nine times for 22 yards and a touchdown in Pittsburgh's Week 15 loss to the Cowboys.

Dwyer was targeted just once in the passing game, and failed to make the grab. Dwyer was held to 2.4 yards per carry even though the Cowboys were missing NT Jay Ratliff and are down to third-stringers at inside linebacker. He simply hasn't been effective since being named the Steelers' lead back. He's averaging 2.9 yards per carry over his past 42 totes going back to Week 12. That's bad news with Geno Atkins and the Bengals coming to town in Week 16. Dwyer won't be a recommended flex option for the final week of the fantasy playoffs.
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 08:13:00 PM
Jonathan Dwyer - RB - Steelers

Coach Mike Tomlin said there won't be any changes to his running back rotation this week.

That means Jonathan Dwyer will start and be the feature back, Isaac Redman will be a third-down pass protector and Rashard Mendenhall will be inactive. Dwyer has managed just 211 yards, a 3.29 YPC average and one touchdown during the last five games, leaving him as a risky flex option in Dallas Sunday. Mendenhall has likely played his final snap as a Steeler.
Related: Rashard Mendenhall
Source: Mike Bires on Twitter
Tue, Dec 11, 2012 12:26:00 PM
Jonathan Dwyer - RB - Steelers

Jonathan Dwyer rushed eight times for 32 yards and caught three passes for 18 yards in the Steelers' Week 14 loss to the Chargers.

In his second straight appearance as the clear feature back, Dwyer handled himself well. The meager workload was a result of the Steelers' inability to sustain drives and the 20-3 deficit they faced midway through the third quarter. Passing-down back Isaac Redman handled most of the running back duties as the Steelers racked up garbage time points in the fourth quarter. Dwyer figures to hold the starter's tag again next week in Dallas as a risky flex option.
Sun, Dec 9, 2012 05:10:00 PM
Jonathan Dwyer - RB - Steelers

Coach Mike Tomlin confirmed that Jonathan Dwyer will stick as his starting running back for Sunday's game against the Chargers.

Last week, Dwyer's promotion left ex-starter Rashard Mendenhall as a healthy scratch. Dwyer ended up rushing 16 times for just 49 yards with a touchdown while Isaac Redman mixed in for 43 yards on nine carries. Expect a similar workload against the Chargers this week. "Rashard will get an opportunity to redeem himself at some point ... not now," said Tomlin.
Source: Ed Bouchette on Twitter
Tue, Dec 4, 2012 12:28:00 PM
Jonathan Dwyer - RB - Steelers

Jonathan Dwyer rushed 16 times for 49 yards and a touchdown in Pittsburgh's Week 13 win over the Ravens, adding three catches for eight yards.

Dwyer got the start and a heavy early workload, but found himself rotating carries with Ike Redman after the Steelers' first five series. Dwyer logged nine second-half touches to Redman's seven. Redman saw the ball four times on Pittsburgh's game-winning drive to Dwyer's two. However, Dwyer still had the play of the day for the Steelers' running back corps, getting around the edge and making a few players miss on his 16-yard touchdown in the third quarter. Although the Steelers went to great lengths to bill Dwyer as their bell-cow this week, he appears doomed to a "hot-hand" committee with Redman (and perhaps Rashard Mendenhall) for the foreseeable future. Dwyer will be a flex option against the Redskins in Week 14.
Related: Isaac Redman
Sun, Dec 2, 2012 07:49:00 PM
Jonathan Dwyer - RB - Steelers

Steelers OC Todd Haley is challenging Jonathan Dwyer to prove he doesn't need to take a breather while handling the bulk of the carries at tailback.

"That will kind of be what defines Jonathan as his career moves forward," said a candid Haley. "He's getting a great opportunity. We've been excited about some of the things he’s done." Dwyer and Isaac Redman are both restricted free agents in 2013. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is confident that impending unrestricted free agent Rashard Mendenhall is done in Pittsburgh. If Dwyer doesn't take advantage of this opportunity, his Dynasty value will never rebound.
Related: Rashard Mendenhall
Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Fri, Nov 30, 2012 01:13:00 PM

Depth Charts

Skill Players
PosRoleName
QB1Ben Roethlisberger
2Bruce Gradkowski
3Landry Jones
4John Parker Wilson
RB1Le'Veon Bell
2Isaac Redman
3La'Rod Stephens-Howling
4Jonathan Dwyer
5Baron Batch
GLB1Le'Veon Bell
2Isaac Redman
3RB1Le'Veon Bell
2La'Rod Stephens-Howling
FB1Will Johnson
WR11Antonio Brown
2Markus Wheaton
3Justin Brown
4David Gilreath
5Reggie Dunn
WR21Emmanuel Sanders
2Jerricho Cotchery
3Plaxico Burress
4Derek Moye
5Kashif Moore
WR31Jerricho Cotchery
TE1Heath Miller
2Matt Spaeth
3David Paulson
4David Johnson
5Jamie McCoy
K1Shaun Suisham
2Danny Hrapmann