If I asked you to define what Pittsburgh Steelers football was, there are probably two things that would come to mind more often than anything else.
Stingy defensive play and a ruthless running game.
Both would be spot on. Over the past 50 years, those two hallmark items have defined this club.
If you take into account the loss of TJ Watt, this version of the Steelers is missing the ground game. One that was supposed to be improved with the 1st round selection of Najee Harris of Alabama in 2021.
Sadly, it hasn't worked out that way. And there are some who think a change is in order.
Harris Struggles Not Just A Product Of His Play
Najee Harris - Eric Hartline USA Today Sports
When you come from Alabama, dripping in National Titles, SEC Championships and all that comes with it, the arrival of Harris to a team who needed some punch at running back was welcomed by the fans. And given the struggles of the new offensive line the team had in 2021, Harris managed to put a 1,200-yard season together in his rookie year.
But the NFL is a what have you done for me lately kind of league now. And that offensive line that started 2022 out better than it did the previous year has fallen off and Harris has been vocal about it all.
It's easy to look at Harris and his numbers and place blame on him. He's got a tepid 3.3 yard per rush average after eight games. Some have claimed Harris isn't reading the blocking lanes given to him. That he lacks a burst of speed when needed. It's easy to second guess after a game is over and you have gobs of video to pour over, and from many angles.
Truth is at regular speed, Harris is doing all he can with what's available. Given how poor this passing game is, nobody is respecting the run, let alone the men anchoring the line of scrimmage. That leads us to a wild-card in this mix. The surprising play of undrafted rookie RB Jaylen Warren.
Steelers Rookie Warren Wows Fans With Effort, Production
Credit: Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
At 5'8" and just 215 lbs, Warren is not an imposing specimen of a back, like a Derrick Henry, Leonard Fournette or Joe Mixon who all stand over 6 foot tall. But despite the lack of size, Warren has been a big producer when given the chance.
He's run with purpose when given the rock, averaging a very respectable 5.3 yards per carry on just 29 attempts. He runs north/south also, something Harris has not done at times, pitter-pattering his way into a line for minimal gains.
Warren has also proven to be capable of taking a pass out the backfield also, netting a very robust 7.3 yards per catch on 12 receptions.
Some have argued that Warren deserves more playing time. Others aren't so optimistic of what that scenario would produce.
It doesn't leave many options, given the struggles of the passing game.
Steelers QB Struggles Weigh Heavy On Struggling Rushing Attack
Steelers QB Kenny Pickett (8) congratulates Najee Harris (22) after his first touchdown pass on Sunday against the Buccaneers. | Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
When an opponents' defense knows your passing game is not a threat, one that features a rookie QB who has struggled to pick up the offense he's learning and the speed of the game itself, it's not going to bode well for the running game.
Add a sub-par offensive line, an under performing wide receiver corp and oh yeah, the offensive coordinator who's every play call is looked over with more scrutiny than an IRS audit, and you get a recipe for disaster. Or a 2-6 start to a season. Take your pick.
Bottom line is this. It's not just Harris who's struggled on the offensive side of the ball. But it's Harris, along with Pickett and others who must elevate their game over the final 9 games if there is anything to salvage of the 2022 season.
So Steelers fans, can Najee Harris pick things up and live up to his first round selection, or is Jaylen Warren bound to play more in the back-half of the year, starting this Sunday with the New Orlean Saints? Sound off below!
#SteelerNation
