In the NFL, running the football is about much more than yards on the stat sheet. A solid rushing attack is a multi-layered investment: it wears down defenders, builds the confidence of offensive linemen, and allows backs to dictate the physical tone of the game. The Pittsburgh Steelers have long prided themselves on that style of offense—tough, gritty, and punishing.
But lately, that identity has stalled, and it’s showing in ways too obvious to ignore.
Through three weeks, Arthur Smith’s offense is averaging just 2.8 yards per carry and a league-worst 63 rushing yards per game. To make matters worse, they’ve managed just one rushing touchdown all season. Numbers like that don’t just look bad on paper—they reshape entire game plans.
Defenses no longer have to respect the run, which means Aaron Rodgers is facing heavier coverage, tighter windows, and more pressure than Pittsburgh ever intended when they brought him in.
This wasn’t supposed to be the formula. Rodgers was brought in to manage the game, not carry the entire load. Yet here we are, watching an offense that feels one-dimensional and far too reliant on the 40-year-old quarterback’s arm.
When asked about the solution to the rushing problem, Mike Tomlin was ready with an answer only he could deliver. He compared the Steelers’ ground attack to “popcorn.”
“The difference between success and failure is minutia,” Tomlin explained to the media on Tuesday. “The small things. Like popcorn—one kernel can make an explosive difference.”
The Pittsburgh Steelers cannot succeed without a fluid rushing attack this season
I love the analogy, and honestly, it fits.
The Steelers aren’t far off from finding rhythm in the run game. What looks like a total breakdown is really a collection of small mistakes piling up: missed blocks at the line, hesitant reads from the backs, and a lack of cohesion between the two.
Fix those small things, and suddenly you have something more than popcorn. You have a full-course meal—the kind of rushing attack Pittsburgh has always used to steady its ship.
READ MORE: Struggles prove Steelers' offense needs to put it all on Aaron Rodgers
And make no mistake, it must become the staple of this offense moving forward. Rodgers has been efficient, but leaning entirely on his arm is not sustainable for 17 games and a playoff push. The rushing attack doesn’t need to be elite, but it needs to be reliable enough to force defenses to honor it. That balance is the difference between being a good team and a championship-caliber one.
As a fan, I can’t help but feel Tomlin’s words carry both honesty and confidence. He knows the Steelers have the personnel to get it done. Kaleb Johnson is a bruiser when given lanes and reps, and Jaylen Warren provides a burst that keeps defenses off balance. The offensive line has shown glimpses of progress, even if the consistency hasn’t been there.
Popcorn may sound like a snack, but in Pittsburgh, it’s now a reminder. Fix the small kernels, and you end up with something explosive. Tomlin’s challenge is clear: turn this stale ground game into the meal that feeds the Steelers’ long-term success.