Ben Roethlisberger Offers Simple Fix For Steelers' Struggling Offense

There was a cautious sense of optimism when the Pittsburgh Steelers hired Mike McCarthy that his offensive mind would spark a turnaround for the organization. Through the first two games of the 2026 season, however, the Aaron Rodgers-led unit has only been able to score one touchdown. Entering Week 3, the team is ranked 30th in yards per game and 31st in scoring. The offensive line has not been up to par, and the quarterback play has also been below average. On top of that, wide receiver DK Metcalf has struggled mightily with drops. It can't get much worse.

McCarthy needs to figure out how to put points on the board and extend drives. The easy solution would be coming down hard on the big men up front, a group that has really stood out. Rodgers doesn't have a lot of time to throw, and the Steelers are 29th in the league when it comes to rushing yards per contest. That number is listed as a measly 74.5.

It's not fair to panic after just two weeks of regular-season play. However, things need to turn around quickly. Pittsburgh has a complicated schedule in the second half of the year. This could make it extremely difficult to enter the playoff conversation if the slow start from the offense continues. A lot needs to be better, and some are expressing their opinions on what should be fixed first.

The Steelers haven't had a consistent offense since Ben Roethlisberger was under center. The main problem with that is the fact that the former signal-caller retired following the 2021 campaign. During the prime of his career, Pittsburgh possessed one of the most dangerous collectives in all of football. That has changed drastically since.

On Tuesday's episode of the Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger podcast, the two-time Super Bowl champion gave his thoughts on what McCarthy, Rodgers, and Co. need to do if they want to right the ship. It wasn't a complicated suggestion. Roethlisberger wants the ball in the hands of either Jaylen Warren or Rico Dowdle a lot more often.

"We've got to give them the ball more," Roethlisberger said. "We've got to run the ball more. That's coming from a quarterback. Run the ball."

The rushing attack for the Steelers hasn't been good. The yards per game on the ground isn't the only issue. The ball carriers have only averaged for 3.4 yards per attempt. It shouldn't come off as a surprise that the duo hasn't received handoffs more often. Despite that, Roethlisberger wants McCarthy to stay committed when it comes to getting the run game going.

Pittsburgh hasn't gotten anything going in the play-action passing game. Through two weeks, defenses haven't been afraid to defend the pass, which has led to disruptions. A 42-year-old quarterback probably should be throwing the ball 39.5 times per contest. If the rushing attack can start to take control of games, it will allow the defense to stay rested and continue its dominant play. Over the course of an entire year, however, it can get exhausting.

The Steelers have had a significant amount of three-and-outs, which could be one reason why McCarthy has been hesitant to pound the rock. Roethlisberger said it best, though. He is a legendary signal-caller who loved the ball in his hands. Despite that fact, he wants Warren and Dowdle getting more carries. Week 3 will be a big moment for Warren, as Dowdle could be limited, or not play at all, due to a toe injury.

Steelers Have To Start Making Defenses Fear The Running Game

If Pittsburgh stays at the bottom of the NFL in rushing statistics moving forward, fast defensive units are going to be a nightmare for Rodgers. The four-time MVP can pick up blitzes with the best of them, but that doesn't mean his play-action passing attack will work to the Steelers' advantage. The Cincinnati Bengals are, ironically, only allowing 74.5 yards per matchup on the ground to start 2026. This means Sunday's task will be even more difficult for Warren and Co.

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