Steelers Are Hit With Truly Worrisome Rushing Attack Reminder

The Pittsburgh Steelers hired Mike McCarthy to help fix an offense that has been stuck for too long, but one national analyst is not convinced that Pittsburgh’s new head coach is suddenly going to create the dominant rushing attack some fans may be expecting. McCarthy brings experience, a Super Bowl resume, and a long history with Aaron Rodgers, but his past offenses raise a fair question about how much the Steelers can truly lean on the ground game.

The concern came from Connor Orr during a recent appearance on YouTube, when the conversation turned toward McCarthy, Rodgers, and what Pittsburgh’s offense might look like in 2026. Orr questioned whether McCarthy’s offensive background really suggests the Steelers are about to become a physical, high-end rushing team.

“How many of those times has he had a top five rushing offense… zero,” Orr said.

That is a blunt way to frame it, but it gets to an important part of Pittsburgh’s new era. The Steelers have invested heavily in their offensive line over the last several years, and the roster has been built with the idea that the offense should be able to play through the trenches. Pittsburgh does not want to be a team that only wins when Rodgers is throwing at a high level. It wants balance, protection, and enough run-game efficiency to keep the offense out of obvious passing situations.

McCarthy’s track record makes that a little more complicated. He has often been associated with quarterback-driven offenses, rhythm passing, and traditional West Coast structure. Those things can absolutely work if the timing is right and the quarterback is comfortable, but they do not automatically create a dominant rushing attack. For the Steelers, that matters because the offense cannot afford to become too dependent on an older quarterback.

Pittsburgh has already turned its offensive line into one of the most important groups on the roster, and the expectation is that the unit should help carry the offense forward. Broderick Jones, Troy Fautanu, Zach Frazier, and Max Iheanachor represent major investments up front. The Steelers have not spent that kind of draft capital just to operate like a team that has no interest in imposing itself on the ground.

Still, a strong offensive line does not guarantee a top rushing offense. Scheme, commitment, game flow, and personnel usage all matter. McCarthy has to prove he can take the pieces Pittsburgh has assembled and turn them into something more than a pass-protection group for Rodgers. The Steelers need the line to move people, create manageable downs, and help the offense avoid becoming predictable.

That is where Orr’s warning becomes relevant. If McCarthy leans too much into a straight dropback passing identity, the Steelers could lose some of the physical balance they need. Rodgers can still make high-level throws, but he should not be asked to carry the entire offense every week. A reliable rushing attack would make life easier on him, slow down pass rushers, and help Pittsburgh control games when the defense is playing well.

The Steelers also have to consider what kind of team they want to be in the AFC North. This division is not usually won by finesse. Pittsburgh has to deal with physical defensive fronts, cold-weather games, and opponents that can punish one-dimensional offenses. If the Steelers are going to challenge for the division, they need more than name recognition at quarterback and a coach with a strong resume. They need an offense that can survive tough games when explosive plays are harder to find.

That does not mean McCarthy is incapable of building a productive rushing attack. It means the burden of proof is on him. He has a chance to adjust, especially after taking over a team with young offensive line talent and a roster that should demand balance. He also has James Campen working with the offensive line, which could help Pittsburgh get more out of a group that still has room to grow.

The key will be whether McCarthy actually commits to it. Talking about balance is easy. Staying committed to the run when the offense starts slowly or when Rodgers wants to control the game from the pocket is much harder. The Steelers need McCarthy to blend his passing background with the roster’s current strengths instead of simply trying to recreate something from his past.

Steelers Need McCarthy To Prove Rushing Concerns Wrong

The Steelers’ offense does not need to lead the NFL in rushing for McCarthy’s first season to work, but it does need to be credible enough to change how defenses play them. If opponents are not worried about the run, Rodgers will face more pressure, the tackles will be stressed, and the offense could fall back into the same frustrating patterns that have limited Pittsburgh in recent years.

Orr’s comment is not a guarantee that the Steelers will struggle on the ground. It is a warning that McCarthy’s history should not be ignored. Pittsburgh may have the personnel to run the ball well, but the coaching staff has to build the offense in a way that makes that possible.

For McCarthy, this is one of the biggest tests of his return to Pittsburgh. If he creates real balance, the Steelers’ offense could finally look different. If he does not, the team may find out quickly that a new coach and an old quarterback connection are not enough to fix everything.

#SteelerNation