What precisely will the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense appear to be in 2025? With QB Aaron Rodgers, you possibly can anticipate extra emphasis on throwing the ball, proper? However offensive coordinator Arthur Smith loves the run recreation. And so does Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.
Tomlin needs to manage the sport, and handing the ball off helps that immensely. First, it’s a basically safer play than throwing the ball. Secondly, it could assist management the time of possession. Defensive-minded coaches love that type of factor.
However a powerful working recreation is also of nice assist to Aaron Rodgers. If the Steelers can run the ball successfully, it could pressure defenses to concentrate on stopping the run. And in response to an NFC coach who spoke with Sports activities Illustrated’s Gilberto Monzano for his 32 Groups in 32 Days piece on the Steelers, that focus goes to be good for Rodgers as a result of he can nonetheless throw the ball very well.
“In accordance with an NFC coach, Rodgers ought to thrive in Pittsburgh due to the Steelers’ confirmed monitor file of taking part in stout protection and committing to the working recreation,” wrote Manzano earlier than quoting the nameless coach. “Aaron could have an opportunity to reap the benefits of the coverages that come from [a balanced attack]. … Aaron can nonetheless throw it pretty much as good as anyone within the NFL proper now. I believe it’s a terrific match. It’s a great place for him.”
The NFC coach isn’t the primary individual to say Rodgers can nonetheless throw the ball. Native analyst Richie Walsh was impressed the primary time he noticed Rodgers observe with the Steelers. However what does that need to do with the Steelers’ working recreation?
The hope is that this offseason’s expertise infusion, led by rookie RB Kaleb Johnson, plus extra time for the younger offensive linemen making up the vast majority of the road, will assist kickstart the Steelers’ working recreation. The Steelers’ run recreation was extra a product of the amount of carries in 2024 relatively than the standard of outcomes. They ran the ball 533 instances, fourth-most within the league. And so they had the Eleventh-most dashing yards at 2,166. However their 4.1 yards-per-carry common ranked twenty fifth within the league. The plan is for that to be a lot better in 2025.
And that would hold strain off the practically 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers. There isn’t a doubt Rodgers needs to throw the ball, as one of many causes he signed with the Steelers was the chance to throw to WR DK Metcalf. A high quality working recreation can open up alternatives for Rodgers and firm. And he’s obtained the arm to reap the benefits of these alternatives. Plus, if the Steelers’ protection retains taking part in the best way it has just lately, Rodgers received’t be requested to single-handedly win video games all that usually.
Nevertheless, there are a number of transferring items to determine earlier than Week 1. Will OT Broderick Jones play higher again at his pure left sort out place? And can that assist increase the offensive line’s efficiency much more? Will the Steelers add one other vast receiver? And may offensive coordinator Arthur Smith make a unified, balanced offense? If that’s the case, the Steelers may very well be in a great place for 2025.
A minimum of one NFC coach thinks that the Steelers are a great spot for Aaron Rodgers.
