Steelers Currently Have No Clear Answer At One Of Arthur Smith's Favorite Positions

The Pittsburgh Steelers are finally entering a new era under Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith. A lot has been made about the quarterbacks that will be running his offense, as well as the questionable wide receivers room. One thing isn't in question, however, and that is the ball-carriers that will be the heartbeat of the unit. Both Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren will heavily be featured if Smith uses a similar approach to calling games as he did while in charge of the Tennessee Titans' offense in 2019 and 2020. One key piece is missing, though: a fullback.

The idea of the Steelers involving a fullback in the offense recently came up on an episode of the Big Blue Kickoff podcast. Craig Wolfley, a former player in Pittsburgh who now works as a broadcaster for the team, joined Paul Dottino to discuss the Steelers' matchup with the New York Giants. The retired offensive lineman noted that the offense is going to look much different under Smith, and fans can expect a ton more fullback usage.

"Multiple tight end sets, whether it's 12, 13 personnel. Multiple tight ends, multiple jumbo, more quarterback under center, probably 30 percent more fullback-oriented snaps. So I think we're gonna see a lot of different stuff, but it's gonna be a physical, come after you sort of thing."

It might sound exciting for fans in the Steel City to hear about the franchise getting back to ground-and-pound football, but if the team is going to hone in on the fullback spot to open up holes for Harris and Warren, there aren't many options on the current roster. That could be looked at as a concern, depending on just how much Smith might want to implement one.

An intriguing name is Jack Colletto, the undrafted free agent out of Oregon State. He might be a long shot to make the team if he can't prove that he can be effective on special teams, but the do-it-all rookie could surprise people in training camp and carve out a role for himself. It's hard to rely on this scenario however, given the fact that he is no shoe-in to make the team, and it would be unrealistic to count on him being on the 53-man roster at this time.

Taking a look at Derrick Henry's monstrous 2,000-plus yard season in 2020, Smith used Khari Blasingame in just over 15 percent of offensive snaps. He also logged over 42 percent of the special teams snaps for Tennessee. This would have to be a similar set up in Pittsburgh for someone like Colletto, but with how much special teams is valued, he might have to convince the coaching staff that he would be good for well over 50 percent of snaps in that area.

If Colletto is unable to make the team, that brings in a 2022 draft choice into the conversation. Connor Heyward played over 54 percent of special teams snaps in 2023 and has proven that he can be used all over the place on the offensive side of the ball. The Steelers could elect to use Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington and MyCole Pruitt as tight ends, and Heyward as a de facto fullback.

Other than Colletto and Heyward, there aren't many options. If Wolfley is correct and a fullback it going to be used much more than fans have seen in recent years, one of the two will have to standout significantly during training camp in the role, or someone from the outside will need to be brought in to fill the spot.

Steelers Are Close To Breaking Out On Offense

The Matt Canada years are finally behind the people of Pittsburgh and Smith has a lot of pressure entering his first year as the organization's play-caller. It can't get much worse than Canada, but it has the opportunity to be the exact opposite if the offensive line clicks, running backs stay healthy, wide receivers not named George Pickens step up, and a surprise fullback is thrown into the mix.

Do you think Colletto or Heyward will be the Steelers' fullback in 2024? Let us know in the comments below!

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