The Pittsburgh Steelers don’t have the running back, offensive line, wide receivers or quarterback like the Philadelphia Eagles, but a dominating rushing attack is a philosophy that they’re trying to build under general manager Omar Khan and assistant general manager Andy Weidl, who worked under Eagles general manager Howie Rosman for six years.
Teams like the Eagles and Baltimore Ravens made it clear this season that having a strong rushing attack is still a suitable way to win in the NFL. Eagles All-Pro running back Saquon Barkley rushed for a league-leading 2,005 yards and is a big reason why the Eagles are the NFC’s representative in Super Bowl LIX. Barkley might even win NFL Most Valuable Player of the Year.
“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.”
The Eagles will face the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX. It will be a battle of completely different offensive philosophies. The Eagles love to impose their will against defenses with Barkley, while the Chiefs are led by three-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
“It’s interesting we have two teams in the Super Bowl with such different styles,” Rooney said. “It shows you can win with more than one approach. I think the bottom line is you’ve got to try to win with the talent you have in the building. And they have two different kinds of talent in their building. So, it will be an interesting game. We’ve got to build on the strengths that we can put together in our room. And I still think that running the ball is a route to success, particularly when you’re playing without a roof and outside, things like that.”
On Monday, Rooney acknowledged that while Harris will likely have other opportunities to evaluate on the open market this offseason, he’d be happy to have the former first-round pick back at the right price. The Steelers declined Harris’ fifth-year option last offseason.
“Najee’s a good player and we’ll evaluate whether we can bring him back. He’s going to have choices, too. It’s a position that is important to us,” Rooney said. “We have a job opening in that room that we’re going to have to fill. Whether it’s Najee or somebody else, it’s going to be an important position.”
With Barkley’s success in Philadelphia and Derrick Henry having an All-Pro year in Baltimore, Rooney thinks the running back position is still valuable.
“Obviously, it’s important to some other teams that have had success this year,” Rooney said. “So maybe it’s not as devalued as some might have thought.”
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Aaron Becker provided reporting from Pittsburgh.