The Pittsburgh Steelers offense has received its fair share of criticism throughout the first three weeks of the regular season. Everyone involved has received backlash at some point, whether it be offensive coordinator, Matt Canada, the quarterback, Mitch Trubisky, running back, Najee Harris, or the offensive line. The starting ball-carrier spoke to local and national media on Friday afternoon and he was very critical of the questions the offense has been asked the last few weeks and is not too keen on the criticism the unit has received on social media.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back, Najee Harris (#22) looks on during training camp at Saint Vincent College in July 2022. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Harris was asked about the offense and was not happy that there hasn't been many positives pointed out by everyone outside the Steelers' locker room. He did not hold back with his answers regarding the subject.
"You guys [the media] are kind of just breaking us apart in a way, because you guys keep asking us questions like this. We're at a point where we're building right now, we're working on it."
The running back even insinuated that the local and national reporters asking questions have the potential to divide the offensive group.
"You guys come in here and ask questions to all the receivers and all the guys, Mitch, about what's not working. That's not how you build," Harris said. "It's not how you get better. You guys are breaking us up. We need to find a way that we can just stay together."
Steelers running back, Najee Harris (#22) awaits a snap during a 2022 regular season matchup at Heinz Field. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
There have been several people calling for the Steelers to let go Canada, but Harris doesn't believe that the play designs are off target. In fact, he thinks the opposite and wants the offense to be more consistent. He also called out the reporters for putting the ineffectiveness on specific players.
"Play-calling and all of that is fine. It's just us executing. You guys keep blaming it on other people. It's us in the locker room. We need to come together and focus on what we need to improve upon every week."
The Steelers second-year player continued when he spoke about the big men up front who block for him. The offensive line has been better than expected, but Harris has still seen too much on social media about how bad the unit has performed.
"We are talking bad about the O-line everywhere, it’s not the O-line. I think the O-line did a really good job last week. Actually, starting from the [New England] Patriots, they did a really good job of doing what they can control. It just comes down to me."
Steelers offensive lineman stand together during the National Anthem prior to a regular season game against the Cleveland Browns on Thursday, September 22nd at FirstEnergy Stadium. | Credit: Steelers.com
It all comes down to trust for Harris and he thinks that he has not done a good enough job himself believing in the blocking and holes that are being created. He seems to think any social media criticism of the unit should stop and that it's more his fault than theirs.
"I need to trust them more. We got some really good guys. They’ve done a really good job of getting better and they are good. We do have a good O-line. Too much I see in social media is how bad they talk about our O-line. It’s not. It’s me."
Media and fan opinions are a part of the deal when you play in the NFL. Do you agree with Harris' comments? Let us know in the comments below!
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