Two Pittsburgh Steelers players have settled into the UFL as the league prepares for the spring season later this year. RB Karen Ballage and LB Tae Crowder have signed with the Arlington Renegades and Birmingham Stallions, respectively, according to league transaction documents.
Both players were with the Steelers only briefly, and you could be forgiven for forgetting that fact. Ballage signed as a free agent for the 2021 season and spent more time in Pittsburgh. He played in all 17 games, but his playing time was limited. Ballage only recorded 65 offensive snaps and 12 carries while playing a deep reserve role behind leading rookie Najee Harris. He wasn’t efficient either, averaging just 3.0 YPC and completing 41.7 percent of his runs. He spent more time on special teams, recording nearly 100 snaps and one tackle.
Pittsburgh will be Ballage’s last NFL regular season appearance. Despite training with the Indianapolis Colts in 2022, Ballage hasn’t even signed with an NFL team. He spent the season with the San Antonio Brahamas, carrying the ball 55 times for 149 yards but averaging a dismal 2.7 YPC. He was not selected to the 2024 team.
Opportunities are running out for him, who turns 30 in December. But if he can find traction with the Renegades, he could open the NFL door again later this summer.
Crowder had some serious coffee in Pittsburgh, but never appeared in a regular season game with the team. The Steelers signed him at the end of 2022 due to a series of injuries to the team, including an injury to Marcus Allen. He was named to the 53-man roster, but was released the following May without suiting up for a game as the Steelers added rookie LB Toby Ndukwe to the offseason roster.
Crowder briefly spent time with the Colts and Tennessee Titans in 2023, but did not sign with anyone in 2024. He turned 28 in March and was “Mr. Titans.” He was selected by the New York Giants with the final pick of the 2020 draft, 255th overall. He started 31 games for the Giants from 2020-2022 and plans to hang in there this spring to improve his chances heading into the summer.
The UFL regular season begins on March 28th.
