The Pittsburgh Steelers have long been known for their run-oriented offense, but one local columnist believes it’s time for the team to abandon that mentality.
In a recent article, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette argued that the Steelers’ insistence on running the ball is holding them back.
“The Steelers’ run-oriented offense is a relic of the past,” Dulac wrote. “It’s a mentality that worked when they had Jerome Bettis and a dominant offensive line, but it doesn’t work anymore.”
Dulac pointed out that the Steelers have not had a top-10 rushing offense since 2014, and that their passing game has been far more effective in recent years.
“In 2022, the Steelers averaged 4.8 yards per carry on the ground, but 7.4 yards per attempt through the air,” Dulac noted. “In 2023, those numbers were 4.3 yards per carry and 7.1 yards per attempt.”
Despite these numbers, the Steelers continue to emphasize the run, often to the detriment of their passing game.
“It’s like they’re trying to prove a point,” Dulac said in an interview. “They’re trying to show that they can still run the ball effectively, even though the numbers say otherwise.”
Dulac believes that the Steelers’ run-oriented mentality is not only outdated, but also misguided.
“You can’t just run the ball because you want to,” Dulac said. “You have to be able to run the ball effectively, and the Steelers just aren’t good enough at it.”
Instead of continuing to pound the ball on the ground, Dulac thinks the Steelers should focus on developing a more balanced offense.
“They need to find a way to get their playmakers the ball in space,” Dulac said. “They need to use their tight ends and wide receivers more effectively.”
Dulac also believes that the Steelers’ coaching staff needs to be more adaptable.
“They need to be willing to adjust their game plan from week to week,” Dulac said. “They can’t just keep running the same plays and expecting different results.”
Overall, Dulac thinks that the Steelers’ run-oriented mentality is holding them back, and that it’s time for the team to adopt a more modern approach.
“They need to junk that run-oriented mentality and start focusing on what they do best,” Dulac said. “They need to start throwing the ball more and getting their playmakers involved.”
What’s Next for the Steelers?
The Steelers still have several needs to address this offseason, including:
Quarterback: The Steelers need to find a long-term solution at quarterback, whether through free agency or the draft.
Wide receiver: The Steelers need to add depth and talent to their wide receiver corps.
Linebacker: The Steelers need to add depth and talent to their linebacker corps.
The Steelers will likely address these needs through a combination of free agency and the draft. With a few key additions, the Steelers could be back in contention sooner rather than later.
