Steelers Now
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin waxed poetically about Cleveland Browns rookie sensation running back Quinshon Judkins during his Tuesday press conference. Judkins has 281 total yards and two touchdowns in the last three weeks.
“I can’t say enough about what I’m seeing from Judkins,” Tomlin said. “This guy’s played in four games, he started three. He had absolutely no training camp to speak of and that really highlights what it is what we’re looking at.
“I’ve seen this guy a lot, obviously, we’ve got a couple of his teammates from (Ohio State). I’ve seen a lot of his video. Man, he’s a complete back, he’s the type of guy who can wear a defensive unit down. Certainly fits their mold. An awesome replacement, if you will, for Nick Chubb.”
In Sunday’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings, Judkins rushed for 110 yards on 23 carries (4.8 average). He had 70 yards called back due to penalties, including a 56-yard touchdown run.
Judkins is currently the NFL’s 9th leading rusher this season with 347 yards. Judkins also has played one less game while missing the entire preseason and training camp due to legal issues and an extended holdout.
The Steelers got gashed on the ground in the first two weeks, allowing an 100-yard rusher in each game. New England went over 100 yards rushing against Pittsburgh in Week 3, as well.
The run defense was stout against Minnesota in Week 4, however. The Vikings rushed for only 70 yards on 20 carries (3.5 average).
The Steelers currently rank 19th in run defense, allowing 122 yards per game.
With a 110-yard rushing performance in London, Browns RB Quinshon Judkins is now ninth in the NFL in rushing yards (347), despite playing one fewer game.
Judkins is on pace for 1,388 rushing yards. pic.twitter.com/hvCcl4FmoZ
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) October 6, 2025
Judkins was a second-round pick by the Browns in the 2025 NFL Draft out of Ohio State at No. 37 overall.
Tomlin and general manager Omar Khan met with Judkins at the Ohio State pro day.
Judkins showed out at the NFL Combine, posting a blazing-fast 4.48 time in the 40-yard dash. According to Kent Lee Platte, Judkins scored an unofficial 9.88 Relative Athletic Score out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 23 out of 1909 RB from 1987 to 2025.
The 21-year-old played a large part in Ohio State’s national championship run while rushing for 1,060 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Alan Saunders provided reporting from Pittsburgh.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Mike Tomlin Gives Ringing Endorsement to Browns Rookie Sensation
