Steelers' Najee Harris' Enthusiastic Responses Prove That The Offense Is Finally On The Same Page

The Pittsburgh Steelers have run a conservative offense through their first three games, but the results speak for themselves. They are currently 3-0 and sit two games up on the AFC North. However, they have scored only 51 points, most of them off Chris Boswell's toe. 

Head Coach Mike Tomlin and new Offensive Coordinator, Arthur Smith, have drilled into quarterback Justin Fields' head that he needs to protect the football, and he has done just that. Part of that ball safety has come thanks to their use of the run. So far, they have run the ball well, with Najee Harris appearing ready to take back his Angry Runs scepter. Unfortunately, Harris' partner in crime, Jaylen Warren, is out with a hamstring injury. 

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter Christopher Carter joined 93.7 The Fan's Morning Show and spoke with hosts Adam Crowley and Dorin Dickerson. They asked Carter if he expected Harris to play after seeing him in a splint earlier this week and if the absence of Warren would mean more Cordarrelle Patterson. 

"Najee will be just fine. I talked to him yesterday, and he actually seems more chipper than usual. Cordarrelle Patterson, that guy's a pro's pro. He knows how to be ready whenever they need him. You saw the way he started to get going last week. If Jaylen Warren's available, it's like all three of those guys are a real problem. So if just two of those guys are available, it's still a problem because they can both wear you down."

Carter added that fans got a dose of just how dangerous Patterson can be. He said that Pittsburgh's use of him as a wide receiver puts the enemy on notice that he can hurt you in multiple ways. He can essentially be a fifth wide receiver active on game day. 

What stood out to Carter the most was how the entire offense finally seemed to be on the same page. Carter said this was evident in separate conversations with Harris and rookie center Zach Frazier. Harris said they want to make opponents "tap out." He acknowledges they are playing close games, but wants to outlast and wear out teams. After the game, Frazier said, "We made the Chargers tap out." That led Carter to ask Harris if this is something the offense discusses. Harris said it wasn't and asked Carter why.

"Zach said the same thing," Carter told Harris. "He was like, 'He did? Shout out to Zach Frazier! That's not something we talk about, but I like that he's thinking the exact same thing I'm thinking.' It seems like these guys are really on the same wavelength about how they want to be physical and that's a good sign that they are eventually going to coalesce and become a better rushing offense."

There is still room to grow. So far this season, Harris has only 209 yards rushing, Patterson has 49, and Warren, who hasn't been himself, has 54 on just 14 attempts. The good news is that the Indianapolis Colts have one of the worst defenses so far this season. Could Harris have his first 100-yard game?

Steelers Going Back To Indy For Revenge

Many Steelers players will feel a bit of deja vu when they face the Colts on Sunday. That's because they did this in 2023, but are hoping for a different outcome this time around.

Last season, Pittsburgh was up 13-0 headed toward halftime when the Colts came roaring back. The Steelers were completely shut out in the second half and were unable to stop Indy, who won 30-13. 

Cameron Heyward said that Tomlin is using all of that as ammunition. According to his most veteran player, Tomlin is the most petty person in the world. He has shown that game film repeatedly, pointing out mistakes, calling out names, and pushing the players to hold each other accountable. They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results; let's hope if the Steelers go crazy at Lucas Oil Stadium, it's in a way that makes them 4-0. 

Do you think the run game seems to be improving? Click to comment below. 

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