Steelers' Very Obvious In 2023 Offensive Approach After Free Agency

The Pittsburgh Steelers are feeling nostalgic lately. Despite missing out on the postseason, the vibe amongst many in Pittsburgh was that things were progressively getting better. It was a difficult shift away from the bar that had been used to measure success for a "Big Ben" length of time because even though the Steelers watched the playoffs from home, there were more than a few positives to take away from 2022. 

One of the vital improvements that occurred during the season was the productivity of the running game. So, the question is, with all the changes that have taken place this offseason, how does it all come back to the Steelers backfield?

Steelers Getting Back To Pounding The Rock

The longtime identity of the Steelers was a bruising, consistent running game that could take over the latter half of any game when needed. That identity has been more of a struggle than a sure thing over the last half-decade, but a steady improvement in the week-by-week of the 2022 rushing attack has provided some hope for what 2023 will bring.

After stumbling into the bye week last year ranked a dismal 27th in the NFL for running the football, the Steelers dug their heels in and finished a respectable 16th - but still a far shot from where the fans and coaches would like it to be. The natural desire to carry the ball every down that Najee Harris has verbalized is an honorable and desirable trait in any back, but it is hardly a recipe for keeping a running back. That is where Jaylen Warren came in, because for all the bashing and leaping that Harris brings, what was needed was the change of pace that Warren brought.

Even though Warren only had 77 carries during the season, that kind of a breather for a runner like Harris is welcomed, especially when Harris is a large part of the core, youthful players beginning to line the offense. By easing the load off one runner and onto a set of backs, the worry of running the tread off Harris' tires also eased. There was more work to do, though.

In the trenches for the Steelers

In a series of once-rare moves last offseason, Mason Cole and James Daniels joined the offensive line and ended up being the start of the slow upward progress. Omar Khan knew that the increase in productivity as the season went on meant the signings were the right move, but it also meant that the next step was more action. 

Cue the 2022-2023 offseason, where the moves and surprises have been aplenty; three of those bringing much-needed weight and size to the line - Nate Herbig (OG, 6'4, 334 lbs), Isaac Seumalo (OG, 6'3, 304 lbs), and Le'Raven Clark (OT, 6'5, 320 lbs). Each of those linemen has the ability to move other large men, and for a fundamentals coach like Tomlin, each signing brought more and more options with their play-calling for next season's rushing attack.

The second the Steelers drafted Harris, the image in every fan's mind was of #22 crashing through for multiple 1 and 2-yard scores a game. The reality of the 2022 Steelers' redzone attempts was quite different from the triumphant scene pictured when Harris put the black and gold hat on.

For teams with a back of the size and strength of Harris, getting into a goal-to-go situation means a touchdown should be coming soon, but that was far from a foregone conclusion. In fact, even in the late-season wins that were so dramatic in fashion, the offensive improvements did not include the redzone; Pittsburgh was a bottom-end team, scoring on only 51.92% of their redzone attempts and boasting the most field goals tries in the league (44).

Tomlin sees many parts of football through a simple lens; do the little things well and the bigger things will come. Well, the little things were falling between the cracks and the easiest way to rectify that is to make the team a reflection of the goals set forth. They needed to move the defensive linemen when only a few yards separated them and the goalline, so they got three huge, mountain-moving linemen to do just that. 

Now that the pieces are starting to fall into place, the big question remaining is whether much-maligned OC, Matt Canada, can call the game before him, or if Steelers fans will see more calls that seemed to ignore the on-field participants. He has the big men, he has the running backs, and - for better or worse - he has the support of his head coach; it will be a long wait until we see whether it has made the kind of difference it feels like.

Do you think Pittsburgh will get back to pounding the rock in 2023? Comment below!

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