The Pittsburgh Steelers' best current ranking when it comes to offensive statistics is being 17th in the league with 11 sacks allowed. That is certainly not something to be proud of. Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada is expected to hang around for the remainder of the 2023 season despite a miserable system that hasn't worked since he was promoted back in 2021. One of the more concerning areas in 2023 has been the team's inability to effectively run the football. As a whole, the offense is averaging an embarrassing 3.4 yards per carry. Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren aren't having the start to the year that they wanted.
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Pittsburgh Steelers running back, Najee Harris tries to avoid a tackle during a regular season game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, NY.
Neither back has been effective in 2023 with Harris averaging 3.9 yards per carry and Warren at 3.6. The biggest difference between the two has been Warren's ability to be a factor in the passing game. He is second on the team with 21 catches while Harris only has hauled in five. After the Week 6 bye, it might be smart to make Warren the focal point, especially early in games.
Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette had a fan chat on Tuesday and was asked plenty of questions surrounding the team as they sit at 3-2 and atop the AFC North division. A reader asked about Harris and his slow-moving feet in the backfield. Fittipaldo isn't exactly calling for a demotion for the running back, but wants to see Warren be the guy in the beginning of games.
"I would use Warren earlier in games because he can provide explosive plays and help the offense overcome their slow starts. If the defense is playing well, they'll get leads and then they can use Harris as a hammer later in games to wear defenses down. I'm not sure the touches would be all that different."
It would make sense to feature Warren early in games. If the offense can get a lead, which is something that hasn't happened often during Canada's tenure, a one-two punch of Harris and Warren in the second half could tire defenses out and lead to less-dramatic wins. Of course, the offensive line that has struggled needs to do its part too.
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Pittsburgh Steelers offensive linemen, Mason Cole (#61) and James Daniels (#78) walk on the field at Acrisure Stadium prior to a 2022 regular season matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Pittsburgh, PA.
Another fan hopped on to ask what Fittipaldo thinks is the key to the offense scoring two touchdowns a game. It's sad that someone has to ask that question, but it's the reality. The Steelers have five offensive touchdowns in five games and a running back has yet to find the end zone. The beat writer went back to his point about making a change early in games.
"Feed Warren more. Lean into the running game earlier in games [with Warren]."
The end of his comment emphasizes that Harris is not getting it done in the first quarter of games and Warren could be the key to turning around a unit that has been flat out brutal right out of the gate. It's not rocket science. In his young career, Warren is averaging 4.5 yards per carry and does not go down easily. Harris, on the other hand, is in his third year and still is under four yards per carry.
The Steelers need to figure something out during the bye week to get the offense moving earlier. The answer probably isn't to let second-year quarterback, Kenny Pickett throw the ball 25 times in the first half. Pittsburgh wanted to be a ground-and-pound offense entering the season and it's time to make a change to Warren at the beginning of games to provide a spark and open up the play-action.
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Pittsburgh Steelers running back, Jaylen Warren warms up on the field prior to a 2022 regular season game against the New York Jets at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA.
The Steelers Can't Remain Complacent On Offense
Pittsburgh is 3-2 because of a dominant defense and it's impossible to ask that group to be the reason for every win. The Steelers would absolutely be 1-4 if the defense didn't step up against the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens. It's very hard to sustain week in and week out. The offense needs to come to life and be the reason for some wins after the bye. One of the keys to that happening may be starting Warren and allowing him to take over games early.
Do you think the Steelers need to make a change at running back? Let us know in the comments below!
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