The Steelers' Offense Could Benefit From A Potential New Rule Change Coming To The NFL

The Pittsburgh Steelers always seem to have an elite or above-average running back on their roster at all times. From Franco Harris to Jerome Bettis, the running back has been the staple point for many of the Steelers' offenses throughout the years. Even in 2023, the Steelers used a dual threat of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren as the team's heavy hitters on offense. However, when you have a run-heavy offense, they are bound to fumble from time to time. 

The Steelers Fumbled During Crucial Moments Of The Playoffs And Super Bowl

Two of the most famous times that the Steelers fumbled were during crucial moments of the playoffs and Super Bowl. The first one was when Bettis fumbled at the goal line against the Indianapolis Colts in the playoffs, only to have the attempted return touchdown saved by Ben Roethlisberger. The other occurrence was during Super Bowl XLV when Rashard Mendenhall couldn't hold onto the ball at a crucial point in the fourth quarter. Both fumbles were critical parts during two huge games for the Steelers.

On Sunday night, another crucial fumble happened during the playoffs of the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills game. On an end-around toss to Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr., right before he reached the end zone, he fumbled the ball which resulted in a turnover. This play has now been starting a controversy on social media because when he fumbled, the ball was ruled to have rolled through the end zone, causing a touchback and the Bills getting it on the 20-yard line. 

Some people out there think this could cause a rule change to occur in the near future that would benefit offenses that fumble. They think that the penalty for fumbling the ball in their own end zone is too harsh of a penalty for the offense. Although many would disagree with this, the NFL is a league built on offenses scoring as many points as possible, so this rule change would be just another step to push that narrative. 

The NFL has made a rule change in this past over a Bills and Chiefs playoff game, who's to say they don't do it again? The report that the old rule may change came out from ESPN's Jeremy Fowler who thinks there is a good chance that it gets reviewed. What that change may be is anyone's guess, but it would most likely be beneficial to offenses around the league. 

The Steelers happened to have this situation occur in 2018 in a game against the Denver Broncos. The team's former tight end Xavier Grimble was taking what looked like a wide-open, easy touchdown into the end zone when he fumbled the ball at the start of the second quarter. The play would result in a turnover and give the Broncos the ball.

The defense being made on why the league shouldn't change this rule is that if you don't like the original rule, just don't fumble the football. It is being used in comparison to the "tush push" that was made famous by the Philadelphia Eagles, with the idea, if you don't like it, just stop it from happening.

This rule change may better offenses, but it could frustrate fans of the game. Since it seems like every rule change is made to favor the offenses, people seem to want things left the way that it is. Between less frequent holding calls and giving wide receivers the benefit of the doubt on pass interference calls, how much more help do offenses need?

Thankfully for Steelers fans, their defense is good enough that whatever rule change occurs, they will still be able to compete in the league. With the likes of TJ Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Cam Heyward, the Steelers will find a way to compete no matter what happens. 

What are your thoughts on the potential new rule change that might come, Steeler Nation? Should the NFL go and "fix" this so-called problem? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

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