Offensive production has been a common struggle for the Pittsburgh Steelers over the last handful of seasons. After spending multiple first-round draft picks on key positions on offense, one thing remains the same, a lack of points on the board. One glaring issue on the Steelers' offense was the lack of ability to establish the run game.
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Steelers' Kenny Pickett during the Steelers' Week 9 matchup against the Tennessee Titans.
They hoped all that would change when they selected running back Najee Harris out of the University of Alabama in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Harris finished his rookie season with 1,200 yards rushing and seven touchdowns. Although his stat line was impressive for a rookie, the Steelers still struggled to find that consistency in their offense.
At the end of the 2022 season, Steelers rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett was starting to show signs of life and led multiple fourth quarter comebacks which left Steelers fans optimistic heading into the 2023 season. Although the Steelers offense was starting to trend upward, it was clear the front office needed to focus on bolstering the offensive line via the draft and free agency.
For the first time since 2012, the Steelers used a first-round pick on an offensive lineman. They traded up to pick number 14 to select Broderick Jones out of the University of Georgia. Doing so, they figured he would be the team's answer at left tackle for many years to come. After a solid, but not very moving training camp by Jones, the Steelers decided to give Dan Moore Jr. the nod in the Steelers' Week 1 matchup.
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Rookie tackle Broderick Jones made his first NFL start at right tackle during the Steelers' Week 9 matchup against the Tennessee Titans.
Jones appeared in each of the Steelers' first four games, but finally made his first start in the Steelers' Week 5 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. Not only did Jones look the part, but he was by far the Steelers' most impactful lineman. In 37 pass block snaps, he only had one pressure allowed.
After such a stellar debut, it was frustrating to see the Steelers go back to Moore Jr. in the following week's matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. Fortunately for Jones, he was given another opportunity at a start in the Steelers' Week 9 matchup against the Tennessee Titans, this time at right tackle. Jones yet again impressed and the Steelers had one of the most impressive rushing performances of the season.
Harris finished the Week 9 contest with 69 yards rushing and a touchdown, which came on the Steelers' opening drive. It was the first touchdown scored on the opening drive for the Steelers since 2022 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Steelers running back Jaylen Warren also showed why he deserves a bigger role in the offense moving forward and finished with 88 yards rushing on only 11 carries.
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Steelers running back Najee Harris was gifted a wide open lane to score a touchdown thanks to rookie tackle Broderick Jones and guard Isaac Seumalo.
During Thursday's post-practice interviews, Jones was asked about the success Steelers fans saw in last week's matchup and if the offense had done anything schematically different to help them be more explosive.
"You know, it's a team effort, but those guys do a great job of seeing the holes, being able to hit it downhill. They do a great job of second-level contact, running through contact. All of those things play a factor in those different areas."
Jones' comments were deemed to be true. To go along with Warren's career-high in rushing yards, he also had six missed tackles which was first on the team, and finished with a 90.9 grade via Pro Football Focus.
The Steelers Will Need To Continue To Rely On The Strong Running Game
So far, Pickett has yet to make that second-year leap most quarterbacks make if they hope to be one of the top in the league. There are incremental improvements in his game that Steelers fans have seen and fourth quarter comebacks continue to be one of them.
Unfortunately, it is still unclear if Pickett is the long-term answer in Pittsburgh. With a quarterback like Pickett struggling to find his groove, it makes it significantly important for the run game to continue to take on a significant portion of the workload. If the Steelers continue to run the ball like they did last week against the Titans, it will allow to passing game to open up, which will in theory, help the Steelers offense get out of their woes.
What do you think? Will the Steelers be able to build off last week's rushing performance and continue to see improvements in the offensive line? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below!
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