Steelers Now
The Pittsburgh Steelers have long had a run-first mentality, but their production doesn’t back their words.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have long prided themselves on having a run-first mentality and playing an elite level of defense, but their production over the last decade and a half says otherwise.
Since the 2007 season, which was head coach Mike Tomlin’s first in Pittsburgh, the Steelers haven’t finished among the NFL’s top 10 teams in rushing yards.
This blows my mind. Steelers haven't finished in the NFL's top 10 in rushing yards since 2007, Mike Tomlin's first season (3rd, 2,168).
Suppose there should be some accounting for Ben. But for a team/coach wanting to play a ball-control style, you'd think that would be higher.
— Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) January 29, 2025
It’s a bit of a shocking revelation given the Steelers’ unwillingness to adapt to a pass-heavy league, and they don’t seem to be open to changing their minds anytime soon, either.
Steelers president Art Rooney II recently revealed that he still believes running the ball is a path to success.
“We’ve got to build on the strengths that we can put together,” Rooney said. “I still think that running the ball is a route to success, particularly when you are playing in the North and outside.”
Rooney referenced the Philadelphia Eagles — the NFC’s representative in Super Bowl LIX. Their offense has been led by the NFL’s leading rusher Saquon Barkley.
However, the Eagles have still displayed the ability to pass the football effectively when needed with wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith and tight end Dallas Goedert.
The Steelers, on the other hand, have not as they finished the year averaging the sixth-fewest passing yards per game (192) in the league.
Back to the running game, though. There are a few other things to account for, such as former Steelers gunslinger quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, but even he had nice complementary running backs in Le’Veon Bell, James Conner and Najee Harris.
Bell rushed for 5,336 yards and 35 touchdowns from 2013-17 and Conner rushed for 2,158 yards and 22 touchdowns the following three seasons (2018-20).
Harris is the most recent of the group and he’s been productive, surpassing the 1,000-yard rushing mark while running behind a sub-par offensive line in each of his first four seasons (2021-24).
Still, Pittsburgh finished the 2024 season outside of the top 10 in rushing.
The Steelers will likely have a new starting running back in 2025 since Harris is set to become a free agent this offseason after the team declined his fifth-year option in May.
It remains to be seen who that player will be, but running back Jaylen Warren will likely have the first shot at being the Steelers’ No. 1 back next season. The team will probably add another in the 2025 NFL Draft, too.
Either way, the Steelers need to try something different if they hope to keep their run-first mentality and have the success they desire.
