Can the Steelers get the run recreation going towards a protection apart from their very own?
The Steelers wish to run the ball, however they’ve had minimal success towards their very own protection to this point throughout coaching camp. Having the highest-paid protection within the NFL, one hopes, would purchase you such a superior product, in spite of everything. Even when we settle for that their very own protection is that good, nonetheless, they nonetheless need to run the ball towards everyone else.
Tonight, the Steelers play the Jaguars, their first likelihood to essentially take a look at the run recreation. They received’t have lead again Jaylen Warren, however rookie Kaleb Johnson will make his anticipated in-stadium debut. Based mostly on our Alex Kozora’s coaching camp observations, Johnson has appeared like one of the best again in camp.
One hopes, then, that he can appear to be one of the best again in EverBank Stadium tonight as nicely. Not simply because that may be good for the Steelers’ run recreation, but additionally, it would imply their run protection is doing its job, too. Each are fairly essential, in spite of everything, and lacked in sure areas final season.
Final season, the Steelers tried to pressure the run recreation, ending it with 533 speeding makes an attempt. They had been certainly one of few groups within the NFL who tried extra runs than passes in 2024. With Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, it’s not instantly clear in the event that they repeat that feat, however a wholesome run recreation actually will increase the percentages.
Whereas they ran the ball over 500 instances, they solely managed 4.1 yards per try. The Steelers’ run recreation ranked fourth in makes an attempt, however twenty fifth in effectivity. They didn’t even crack the highest 10 in speeding yards, both, for all of their efforts.
Since then, they parted with Najee Harris in free company, signed Kenneth Gainwell, and drafted Kaleb Johnson. The Steelers even have the offensive line in place that they supposed final season, which in all probability favors run blocking. One hopes that if they’re in for a greater season, we’ll start to see that tonight.
The Steelers are rebuilding, or reloading, no matter they really feel the necessity to name it, after one other disappointment final season. Although they limped into the playoffs, they as soon as once more embarrassed themselves therein.
Identical to final yr, the largest query hanging over the Steelers is the quarterback query. Whereas they made numerous strikes, they need to put the items collectively. The 2025 NFL Draft class might play a giant position, however veteran additions might be paramount.
However we nonetheless have a protracted coaching camp forward for Steelers soccer. We survived the Aaron Rodgers scenario and moved on to different issues–different dramas generally. Now it’s about evaluating the roster in place and filling holes as we go.
