A robust working sport is a staple of Arthur Smith’s offensive system. We noticed the deserves of that method at instances early within the 2024 season, however it was by no means terribly environment friendly, and the Pittsburgh Steelers felt the consequences of that late within the season as their offensive manufacturing got here to a screeching halt. The hope is {that a} new-look working again room and an bettering offensive line can flip that round in 2025, however Professional Soccer Focus doesn’t appear optimistic for that to occur.
In accordance with Dalton Wasserman, the Steelers have the seventh-worst RB group within the league with a 2025 preseason rating of No. 26.
“Pittsburgh retained Jaylen Warren regardless of his career-low 64.3 PFF general grade final season. He presents a viable choice however has by no means taken on a beginning workload within the NFL,” Wasserman wrote. “Former Eagle Kenneth Gainwell additionally joined the staff in free company, although he’s earned a paltry 54.3 PFF general grade over the previous two seasons.
“The brightest ray of hope could also be third-round rookie Kaleb Johnson, who earned an 86.7 PFF speeding grade final season and must be slot in Arthur Smith’s zone-run scheme.”
PFF’s grade system paints a grim image of the group general, however there are many causes for optimism. Two of these causes don’t have anything to do with the backs themselves. The presence of Aaron Rodgers and the advance of the offensive line might make them look rather a lot higher by default.
Warren might have had a down 12 months final season, however he was coping with a number of accidents all through the summer season and the common season. He seemed like his typical explosive and environment friendly self when he was lastly wholesome later within the season earlier than all the offense collapsed over the Steelers’ closing 5 video games.
When wholesome in 2023, Warren had a way more respectable 78.5 general offensive grade on PFF. He has been one of many hardest working backs to sort out over the primary three seasons of his profession with 106 pressured missed tackles – 56 of in his final wholesome season in 2023.
Warren might begin the season because the Steelers’ lead again, however Kaleb Johnson ought to have a outstanding function and will take over because the 1a to Warren’s 1b by the top of the 12 months. OC Arthur Smith referred to as him an ideal match after he was drafted, and he’s drawn rave evaluations all through spring practices. One beat reporter already referred to as him a star within the making.
Smith admitted he needed to pivot from his offensive scheme final 12 months due to the personnel out there to him, however Kaleb Johnson’s presence ought to permit them to get again to his bread and butter with the surface zone runs.
Gainwell has a barely completely different ability set as a move catcher out of the backfield. RB coach Eddie Faulkner is already speaking concerning the methods the Steelers can get him concerned with a number of backs on the sector on the similar time and splitting him outdoors the formation. He confirmed how harmful he will be in that function when he torched the Steelers final season.
It could be a significant upset for the Steelers if their working backs end the season close to the underside of the league as PFF has them ranked proper now.
