The Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense has found new life in 2024 under offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. The one-two punch of running backs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren should receive accolades for their partial success. A heavy presence in the ground game forces defenses to focus on stopping the run, opening up more opportunities for passing schemes, and allowing the offense to be more balanced and dynamic.
One of the many differences between this season and last year is the efficiency with which the offense operates. Previously, Pittsburgh struggled to consistently move the ball on the ground, which allowed opposing defenses to focus on pressuring the quarterback and defending the pass. Matt Canada fed rushers but failed to incorporate a dynamic offense.
This season, Harris and Warren are keeping defenses on their heels. Najee, in particular, has been a focal point of the offense, rushing for over 65 yards and maintaining an average of more than 4 yards per carry in consecutive weeks. His ability to grind out tough yards and wear down defenses has been critical to Pittsburgh's success.
It may not look important on the stat sheet - but every yard helps.
Steelers must rely on dynamic RB combination to jumpstart offense
Jaylen Warren has also provided a spark to the running attack, rushing for 42 yards on nine carries in the most recent game. His speed and elusiveness complement Harris’ power-running style, giving Pittsburgh a versatile backfield that can attack defenses in multiple ways.
The combination of Harris and Warren has not only helped control the clock but also opened up the playbook for play-action passes. This balance has made the Steelers’ offense less predictable and more difficult to defend.
While the new dynamic offense has only resulted in one touchdown so far, it has allowed Pittsburgh to regain its confidence. The ground scheme's effectiveness has helped take pressure off quarterback Justin Fields. It also gives him more opportunities to develop within Arthur Smith’s system. The Steelers' ability to keep defenses honest with the run has set the stage for more explosive plays in the passing game.
Moving forward, the Steelers must continue to rely on a balanced offense if they hope to sustain success. Harris and Warren are the key to keeping defenses off-balance, and their contributions in the ground game will be vital as Pittsburgh looks to build on their early success and continue winning in the upcoming weeks.