Steelers' Najee Harris Optimistic About New Offense Despite Week 4 Loss: "One Of The Few Times We Looked Really Good"

The Pittsburgh Steelers' offense struggled through the 2023 NFL season, raising concerns about the team's ability to compete at a high level. One of the key issues was the inconsistency in quarterback Kenny Pickett’s performance. While Pickett had shown flashes of potential, his inability to deliver under pressure and connect on deep throws was limiting the offense’s effectiveness. His decision-making in the pocket and struggles in the red zone were noticeable as well, preventing the team from frequently converting drives into points.

Additionally, the offensive line had been a weak point, unable to consistently protect Pickett or open up running lanes for the ground game. This left Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, the team's two primary running backs, struggling to gain yardage, contributing to the team's inability to establish a balanced attack.

The play-calling from the offensive coordinator at the time, Matt Canada, had also been heavily criticized for its predictability and lack of creativity. The unit struggled to make in-game adjustments, and many fans pointed to the absence of dynamic play design as a reason for the offense's stagnation.

Despite having talented skill players, like wide receiver George Pickens and tight end Pat Freiermuth, the Steelers have not been able to unlock their full potential. The lack of explosive plays and long drives has led to a lackluster offensive output, putting more pressure on the defense to carry the team.

If the Steelers want to compete in a tough AFC North, they will need to address these offensive shortcomings quickly, whether through improved execution, changes in the game plan, or possibly personnel adjustments. In the offseason, Pittsburgh went back to the drawing board and picked up Russell Wilson from the Denver Broncos, and Justin Fields from the Chicago Bears. Throughout the beginning of the 2024 season, the offense has not necessarily been explosive, but definitely has shown drastic signs of improvement. As the season progresses, Fields has shown that he can be a starting quarterback in this league, arguably even outplaying Patrick Mahomes.

Steelers' Offense Is Still Missing Firepower 

The Steelers' offense in 2024 has been a mix of highs and lows, reflecting some improvement, but with ongoing challenges. The addition of Fields has brought competence to the position, though the offense as a whole has struggled to find consistency. Fields has shown flashes of growth, but the offense isn't yet clicking on all cylinders. One of the key issues has been the run game. 

Despite the team's focus on running the ball and building a physical offensive line, injuries to key players like Isaac Seumalo, Troy Fautanu and James Daniels have hampered their effectiveness. The Steelers currently have the worst run success rate in the league (21.7%), making it difficult for them to control games on the ground.

In the passing game, Fields' performance has been solid, but the lack of elite wide receiver talent remains a concern. The Steelers are reportedly exploring options to bolster the position, but the offensive scheme still relies heavily on running the ball and utilizing play-action passes. The tight end Darnell Washington has shown promise, particularly with a standout play against the Colts, suggesting he could become a bigger factor moving forward. Fields had a total of three touchdowns during the Indianapolis game, leading the team during the second half to some of the most dynamic offense Steelers fans have seen in a long time. 

Harris had high praise for the offense in the second half against the Indianapolis Colts, saying it is the best he has seen since he arrived in Pittsburgh.

"We just came up short, but just tip my hat off to the team, because from my time being here, that was one of the few times we looked really good."

Overall, the Steelers’ offense has made some strides in 2024, but injuries and inconsistencies have limited its effectiveness so far. Can Pittsburgh bring it together as a team and bring a high-flying offense back to the Steel City? Let us know in the comments below!

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