Steelers Fans Get Great News About Run Game After Frustrating Performance On The Ground

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a disappointing couple of weeks after dropping two consecutive games as the team lost an in-division matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals and then got embarrassed at home in a primetime slot against the Green Bay Packers. The offense has seemed promising as the group has been able to put points on the board, but the defense has been extremely disappointing. That side of the ball is holding the team back, and a fix needs to be found in the near future.

Pittsburgh has found something nice and that is their run game. The Steelers are able to rip off chunks on the ground at a very efficient level, and a lot of that has to do with the team's jumbo package that has been introduced during the 2025 season. The jumbo package includes big tight end Darnell Washington and an extra offensive lineman in Spencer Anderson. The future of the jumbo package is in question after left guard Isaac Seumalo suffered a pectoral injury against the Packers, and Anderson had to fill in for him. Team insider Mark Kaboly spoke about the future of the run game on 93.7 The Fan, ensuring fans that the jumbo package is still alive.

"Calvin Anderson is a veteran," Kaboly said. "He's played many a games with Denver. I don't think that's over his pay scale. I think he's able to step in there and do that. I don't think Spencer Anderson has that position all to his own."

While Seumalo recovers from his injury, Anderson is going to be the team's starting left guard. This means he can't be the extra offensive lineman that comes on the field for the jumbo package which the Steelers have been running the ball very efficiently out of. He had to fill in at left guard in the second half of the game against the Packers, and Pittsburgh's running game became non-existent. Pittsburgh will have to address that before their next game on Sunday.

With Anderson filling in at left guard, Pittsburgh can deploy veteran Calvin Anderson as the extra offensive lineman that comes onto the field to help the running game. Hopefully the jumbo package doesn't miss a beat, as both Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell have been very good running the ball behind an extra lineman and Washington. It has helped the offense as a whole, and it was clearly missed during the second half of the game against the Packers.

The Steelers have been praised for the way they have leaned into the jumbo package over the last several weeks, and it should be an important part of the offense moving forward, even with Seumalo's injury affecting the lineup. Pittsburgh's offense got creative with the jumbo package, and it shouldn't be going anywhere anytime soon. Anderson now has a full week to practice as the extra lineman, which he did not have before which is why he couldn't just be inserted into the game in the second half.

Steelers' Spencer Anderson Should Perform Well At Left Guard

The seriousness of Seumalo's injury is unclear still, but it should be expected that Anderson will be relied upon more in the coming weeks. He has some decent experience as he played over 300 offensive snaps during the 2024 season and started four games. Kaboly also believes he is of a similar-caliber of a player as Seumalo.

"I think straight up, Spencer Anderson's, if not as good, darn close to as good as Seumalo is right now." Kaboly said. "He has a lot of experience from last year."

Seumalo is in the final year of his deal with Pittsburgh, so if Anderson plays well the third-year player can play his way into a starting job for the 2026 season, which would be the final year of his deal barring an extension during the 2026 offseason. His versatility and experience has proved to be beneficial for the Steelers, which are two valuable traits in the organization's eyes.

Do you think the run game will continue to improve? Let us know in the comments below!

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