It’s always easy to get swept up in offseason hype. Between free agency, splashy trades, and a promising draft class, the excitement around the 2025 Pittsburgh Steelers was palpable. On paper, it looked like they were ready to re-enter the AFC's elite. All-Pro and Pro Bowl talent poured in. Fans were fired up. Analysts couldn’t stop talking. The fire was lit—at least, it felt that way.
But through two weeks, it’s been hard to feel the heat.
Mike Tomlin’s squad sits at 1-1 heading into a tough Week 3 matchup with the New England Patriots. Injuries are stacking up. Uncertainty clouds the team’s identity. And while the finger-pointing continues, one truth is hiding in plain sight: offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has ignored the team’s clearest path to success — a hard-nosed, run-first identity.
Let’s be real. The days of Najee Harris dragging defenders three yards past the line of scrimmage are likely behind us. But this isn’t a death sentence for the run game. It’s a changing of the guard.
Pittsburgh’s backfield is deeper, faster, and just as capable — when used properly.
So far this season, the Steelers have totaled only 125 rushing yards on 41 carries, averaging a dismal 3.0 yards per attempt. That’s not just inefficient — it’s negligent. For a team that built its success on time of possession and wearing down defenses, this current approach is a complete betrayal of the Steelers’ DNA.
They rank 29th in carries league-wide — grouped with the Texans, Titans, and Vikings. That’s a major problem.
The Pittsburgh Steelers need to reclaim their offensive identity by running the football
Last season told a different story. In 2024, Pittsburgh ranked 4th in rushing attempts (533), trailing only the Lions, Ravens, and Eagles. That run-heavy approach wasn’t just about stats. It kept defenses honest, opened up play-action, and allowed Pittsburgh to control the tempo. That’s what this team was built for.
And the pieces are still there.
Jaylen Warren has proven he's ready to be the lead back. He’s got 25 carries so far, averaging 3.4 yards per attempt, despite being underutilized and often running into stacked boxes. He’s elusive, tough, and smart with his cuts — but he needs volume. Let the kid cook.
Then there’s Kaleb Johnson, the All-American and third-round rookie who took training camp by storm. Yet somehow, through two games, he has two carries.
Two.
And he’s mostly been relegated to kick returns. That’s a waste of talent — and a missed opportunity for a jolt of physicality in an offense that’s desperate for some.
The Steelers aren’t lost. They’re just off course. The flashy addition of Aaron Rodgers was always going to steal headlines, but as we’re seeing, one seasoning doesn’t make the meal. Without balance — without a commitment to the run — the offense is hollow.
Pittsburgh has the ingredients for success: a veteran quarterback, a physical offensive line, and a running back room that’s ready to erupt. They just need to remember how to turn the stove back on.
Because the recipe hasn’t changed. The Steelers win when they run the ball — and right now, that’s their most obvious fix.