Pittsburgh Steelers’ Ground Game: A Quiet Strength

Contrary to popular belief, the Pittsburgh Steelers were more proficient in the run game than their overall offensive rankings suggest.

Despite promising additions to the roster last year, the Steelers’ offense finished near the bottom of the league in key metrics—ranking 23rd in total yards per game (319.4) and total offensive output (5,430 yards). However, upon closer examination, one area of relative success stood out: their ground attack.

While the rushing offense was far from dominant, it showed notable improvement. The Steelers finished 11th in total rushing yards (2,166) and rushing yards per game (127.4), marking a clear progression from 2023, when they accumulated 2,010 total rushing yards and ranked 15th in that category. Though this upward trend has been gradual rather than explosive, the signs point toward an eventual breakthrough.

So, what would be the reason for this potentially happening in 2025?

---

Offensive Line Performance

The offensive line—yes, the offensive line—undoubtedly struggled in pass protection. However, their impact in the ground game was significant. Center Zach Frazier, for example, emerged as one of the NFL’s most proficient run blockers during his rookie season in 2024. According to Pro Football Focus, Frazier ranked among the top five interior linemen with an impressive run-blocking grade of 80.5.

To his left, veteran Isaac Seumalo demonstrated consistency, finishing the season with a 75% run-block win rate, placing him seventh among qualified interior linemen. Meanwhile, Broderick Jones encountered challenges in pass protection but excelled in run blocking, earning an overall grade of 70.9 in this area. Collectively, these linemen form a strong foundation for a dominant rushing attack.

The Revamped Backfield

Beyond raw speed and agility, the new backfield introduces a crucial element that was previously lacking—vision. While Jaylen Warren has been consistently efficient throughout his career, the more intriguing prospect is rookie Kaleb Johnson. Among the many promising running back prospects in this year’s draft class, Johnson stands out as one of the most well-suited for a wide-zone scheme.

During his tenure with the Iowa Hawkeyes, Johnson averaged an impressive 6.4 yards per carry and scored at least one touchdown per game within their zone-based offense. While Warren saw fewer carries last season, he still managed to accumulate 511 rushing yards with a respectable 4.3 yards per carry. This dynamic combination of proven efficiency and potential upside could help the team establish a formidable rushing attack.

---

Despite lingering uncertainties at quarterback and within the receiving corps, the team appears to have assembled the necessary components for a strong ground offense. If anything, this year's squad may lean heavily on its rushing capabilities, making it imperative that they take a significant step forward this season.