Until you reside beneath a rock, you realize that the Pittsburgh Steelers must put up extra factors on the scoreboard in 2025. One necessary ingredient of this that I need to have a look at is crimson zone receiving manufacturing.
The purpose of the article is to take a look at present Steelers receivers who had a minimal of 5 crimson zone targets final season and see what it might imply for 2025.
Listed here are routes run and targets within the crimson zone in 2024:
Clearly, probably the most constructive outcomes and solely above-the-mean gamers had been at tight finish. Jonnu Smith noticed probably the most quantity as a Dolphin in 2024, with 64 crimson zone routes run (T-Thirtieth) and 18 targets (T-Nineteenth) out of 177 qualifiers (min. 5 crimson zone targets).
He lands furthest above the pattern line of the group we’re centered on, that means Smith was focused most given his routes run. Of the various components Pittsburgh is hoping he’s an improve, the crimson zone might the place he makes the most important affect on his new crew.
Additionally, Pat Freiermuth was shut behind in crimson zone alternative with Pittsburgh final yr. Sixty-two crimson zone routes run tied for thirty fourth, and he had 14 targets (T-Thirty seventh). Whereas the routes run had been almost an identical, we see the larger distinction was much less targets to Freiermuth however proper on the pattern line.
Leaning on the TE room can be smart for quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and it has one other candidate who didn’t qualify in 2024 with crimson zone potential – Darnell Washington. An enormous human who Rodgers raved about to lob it as much as is intriguing, and hopefully this robust place can assist repair Pittsburgh and Rodgers’ crimson zone manufacturing.
Large receiver DK Metcalf was simply above the imply with 49 crimson zone routes run. However solely 9 crimson zone targets (T-81st) was stunning to search out. He performed 15 video games in 2024, an underutilized bodily specimen who ought to thrive within the crimson zone. Extra involvement would go a great distance towards stressing defenses which have the crimson zone benefit with much less floor to cowl.
Maximizing conditions main as much as crimson zone alternatives should occur first with a view to maximize playmakers’ their potential. Pittsburgh did enhance crimson zone makes an attempt in final season (T-Fifteenth), in comparison with twenty ninth in 2023. Rodgers and the Jets got here in proper behind the Steelers in 2024 at seventeenth. So, the hope is Pittsburgh’s crimson zone alternatives will not less than be equal, if not enhance, in 2025.
The query is what the standard will appear to be after the Steelers ranked twenty ninth in crimson zone landing fee final yr. As you’d most likely guess given their document, the Jets weren’t supreme there both however ranked higher at twenty first. Right here’s to hoping that bodes effectively for the Black and Gold to positively flip round this re-worked offense for the success followers have been craving for.
Here’s a visible for instance high quality in 2024. Let’s have a look at constructive fee (proportion of constructive performs i.e. profitable play) and touchdowns within the crimson zone:
The tight ends had encouraging high quality to match larger utilization whereas the broad receivers and working backs had been stale as compared. Freiermuth had a 78.6-percent constructive fee (tenth) and 6 touchdowns (T-14th), and Smith posted seven touchdowns (T-seventh) together with a 61.1-percent constructive fee (thirty fifth). Largely high 15 (out of 177) gamers. Good.
On the flip aspect, the remaining had been effectively under league common. Metcalf’s lack of crimson zone affect is two-sided. He’s clearly excessive on opponents’ radar, creating extra alternatives for teammates. However one TD is much much less manufacturing wanted from a top-five salaried broad receiver, notably with out the strongest depth behind him.
Absolutely Rodgers will contain Metcalf greater than QB Geno Smith did within the crimson zone. Because the roster at the moment sits, broad receiver Calvin Austin III should step up in some ways in 2025, which hopefully consists of the crimson zone. Operating again Jaylen Warren appears poised to interrupt out after being a 1B choice to Najee Harris (now a Charger) in 2024.
Assuming Warren’s arms are on the reins way more this season, his receiving strengths, seeing extra crimson zone snaps, and Rodgers concentrating on the place usually might make for a pleasant uptick and weapon defenses should respect.
Then there are the gamers who didn’t qualify for numerous causes. Rookie working again Kaleb Johnson wasn’t used a lot as a receiver at Iowa, however he has proven skills and figures to be on the sphere as an even bigger again close to the purpose line. Additionally introduced in was Tremendous Bowl champ Kenneth Gainwell. Identified for his receiving, he could sprinkle in a few of that within the crimson zone.
WR Roman Wilson was mainly stripped of his rookie season on account of accidents, and what issues will appear to be for him in all features in Yr 2 will probably be necessary to watch. Veteran Robert Woods was buried on Houston’s deep WR depth chart final season and may earn extra alternative than he had in 2024.
Not probably the most inspiring group, but when it may be complementary to the tight ends with a hopeful constructive pattern for Metcalf and Warren, there’s cautious optimism that the Steelers could possibly be a greater crimson zone offense in 2025. If not, it could possibly be extra of the identical although many faces have modified.
