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3 reasons why the Steelers running game will improve in 2019

By Tommy Jaggi

PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 08: Antonio Brown #84 of the Pittsburgh Steelers talks to offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner and head coach Mike Tomlin during the second half in the game against the Carolina Panthers at Heinz Field on November 8, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 08: Antonio Brown #84 of the Pittsburgh Steelers talks to offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner and head coach Mike Tomlin during the second half in the game against the Carolina Panthers at Heinz Field on November 8, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
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LOUISVILLE, KY – NOVEMBER 24: Benny Snell Jr #26 of the Kentucky Wildcats runs for a touchdown against the Louisville Cardinals on November 24, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY – NOVEMBER 24: Benny Snell Jr #26 of the Kentucky Wildcats runs for a touchdown against the Louisville Cardinals on November 24, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

2. The acquisition of Benny Snell

Part of the reason the Steelers may have elected to pass the ball so much last season is because of the lack of depth behind James Conner.

In 2017, Conner missed the end of his rookie season with a knee injury. Conner was injured again in 2018 toward the end of the season and missed 3 of the last 4 games. The Steelers would lose 2 of the 3 games in his absence.

With Le’Veon Bell electing to sit out the entire 2018 season, the Steelers likely didn’t want to run James Conner into the ground.

Rookie Jaylen Samuels was a change of pace back without a lot of game experience, and veteran Steven Ridley wasn’t good when called upon last season.

Enter Benny Snell – a strong, punishing running back much in the mold of James Conner. Snell made up a majority of Kentucky’s offense throughout his college career, and was known for running through SEC defenses.

Benny Snell is a player the Steelers are very high on, and he will have a chance to contribute right away. With Snell in the mix, Pittsburgh will not need to run James Conner into the ground, rather they can use Snell to help preserve Conner’s body.

The Steelers now have a trio of young, capable running backs, and they are a compelling reason to believe that Pittsburgh will run the ball more in 2019.

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