The 2022 Pittsburgh Steelers were a team in transition. They were facing their first season without Ben Roethlisberger as the starting quarterback in nearly two decades. The team was supposed to be led by their highly-paid veteran defense. Offensively, the Steelers were counting on Mitch Trubisky to manage the game and not lose them with turnovers.
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Steelers' Mike Tomlin and running back Najee Harris.
Mike Tomlin anointed Najee Harris in training camp as the leader of the offense, and the plan was to feed him a steady diet of carries while the Steelers ground out enough close victories to challenge for the playoffs. Before the season started, the players elected both Trubisky and Harris as the captains of the 2022 offense.
The wheels fell off quickly for both players. Harris sustained a foot injury in training camp. The results of the injury damaged his reputation badly. He got off to a terrible start, posting under 400 yards by the time the Steelers reached the season's halfway point. When the team entered their bye week, the calls for Jaylen Warren to take over for Harris were thunderous.
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Steelers' TJ Watt.
Trubisky arguably met expectations in the 2022 opening game against the Cincinnati Bengals. He managed to guide the Steelers to 20 points total in regulation (6 coming from the defense), and the Steelers were clinging to a six-point lead when the unthinkable happened. TJ Watt got injured. A torn pectoral muscle would cost him the next seven games. The Steelers held on to win 23-20 against the Bengals. The resulting 1-6 stretch would cost the Steelers a chance to return to the AFC playoffs, and three games into the nosedive, it cost the offensive captain Trubisky his job.
The Pittsburgh Steelers Announce New Captains For 2023, Including Kenny Pickett
The Steelers' lone offensive captain for 2023 is Kenny Pickett, who took over for Trubisky for the last 12 games of the 2022 season. Harris, when healthy, put up over 650 yards rushing in the final eight games and looked better than he ever has as a professional. The tandem of Warren and Harris allowed both to play to their strengths and shine brightly. Despite Harris’ brilliant second half, he was not elected as an offensive captain in 2023.
The former Alabama Crimson Tide star is in just his third year as a professional. He was vocal over the summer about the treatment of running backs in the NFL. He is facing the organization's decision to pick up his fifth-year option after the 2023 season. It would be hard to blame him for being bitter about the prospect of what he views as a substandard contract and the loss of his status as captain. According to Jeff Hathhorn from 93.7 The Fan, Harris took the demotion in stride in a phenomenal sign of growth.
“Kenny is the quarterback,” Harris said. “Kenny is the guy. I have no issue with that. I don’t think nobody has an issue with that, being one captain. As long as we are winning, we are not trippin'. It’s all a team sport.”
Harris has been a lightning rod for criticism since his name was called in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. A substantial portion of Steelers fans think reaching for Harris was a mistake. A litany of NFL experts have been critical of his efficiency as a runner. Very little consideration is given to Harris running behind the worst Steelers offensive line in the Super Bowl era in 2021 and his post-injury burst last season.
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Steelers running back Najee Harris.
It would be easy for Harris to pout. The prospect of the Steelers picking up his fifth-year option is not an attractive development for him financially. Instead, thanks to an honest conversation with his position coach, Eddie Faulkner, Harris is looking inward for improvement in his attention to detail in 2023.
“Not like hard work, but the small things weren’t as big because it wasn’t an issue for me,” Harris confessed about his career to date. “I think one of the things that stood out is the details. A lot of times, we watch film and it will be the details that are missing.”
Warren forced his way onto the field in training camp last season after opening eyes as a pass protector. He followed up by demonstrating an exceptional burst when he touched the ball. Warren was a decisive runner and hit holes with the ferocity that fans had longed for Harris to show in his short career. In the last eight games of the season, Harris demonstrated he was as physically capable of being dominant as Steeler Nation hoped.
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Steelers 2023 running back tandem of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren.
Harris did not see much action in the preseason. He did manage to score a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons, however. The first-team offense moved the ball efficiently and scored with big plays on three of their five touchdown drives. Harris should be a much more significant part of the offense on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers in the Steelers home opener.
“We are ready,” Harris said. “We are excited and can’t wait for the first game.”
The Steelers Thunder and Lightning tandem will get its first chance of the 2023 regular season to demonstrate what they can do against one of the league's best defenses. If Harris has taken another step forward from where he was at the end of 2022, the Steelers running game could carry them all the way to Allegiant Stadium in early February.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Would a focused Harris paired with a hungry Warren be the magic formula for the Steelers offense? Please let me know what you think. Comment below or on my Twitter / X: @thebubbasq.
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