It’s safe to say that much of the wider NFL fan base, along with a majority of Steelers Nation, feels that the Steelers’ offense is stuck in a different era. With Mike Tomlin at the helm for so long, there is a lingering belief that his run-heavy philosophy has led to an offense that is both predictable and ineffective. These concerns are justified, as the Steelers ranked 22nd in the league in points per snap (0.35)—a figure that simply won’t cut it for a team aiming to compete in late January.

Many Steelers fans reminisce about the pass-heavy days of Ben Roethlisberger and believe that returning to that style of play would help the team put up more points and ultimately win more in a modern NFL.

The Steelers offense used to be so fun to watch #steelers pic.twitter.com/aN7am5AsGL

— Matthew Luciow (@matthewluciow92) January 26, 2025

Maybe they just don’t execute?

After diving into the team’s offensive statistics, it became evident that the formula the Steelers deploy may actually align with the ideal offensive archetype for 2025. This assumption is based on the fact that out of the top 10 teams in points per snap during the 2024 season, seven also ranked in the top 10 in rushing attempts. This includes the Lions, Ravens, and Eagles, who led the league in rushing attempts while also ranking in the top five in points per snap.

This clearly shows a direct correlation between rushing attempts and scoring efficiency. However, the key factor missing from this equation is efficiency. The Steelers ran the ball 533 times—good for the fourth-most attempts in the league—but averaged just 4.1 yards per carry (YPC), tying them for the seventh least efficient rushing attack. In contrast, the other teams mentioned all averaged 4.7 YPC or higher. So to me it seems like the Steelers have the right philosophy to stick with their brand of football but it seems that other teams around the league have adopted that in much stronger fashion leaving them to play catch-up.

This should feel like a damning fact, considering that since Roethlisberger’s retirement, nearly all of the Steelers’ offensive resources have been devoted to improving the run game around their former first-round pick, Najee Harris. They have invested heavily in the offensive line, drafting two tackles in the first round and a center in the second round, while also bringing in two high-end veteran guards.

This commitment to the run game was further reinforced with the hiring of Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator, a coach known for his success with Derrick Henry and the Titans. From a fan’s perspective, it seems like the Steelers have done everything possible to build a dominant rushing attack—yet something is still missing.

How to catch up?

Clearly, teams like the Ravens, Eagles, and Lions have more experienced and talented offensive lines, but with Troy Fautanu returning and another year of development for Frazier and Jones, it would be reasonable to expect the Steelers’ line to take another step forward. This improvement could be further complemented by a backfield pairing of Jaylen Warren and an explosive rookie runner if the team decides to move on from Najee Harris this offseason.

While these are all contributing factors, it’s important to remember that the NFL is a quarterback-driven league—and right now, the Steelers don’t have a definitive answer at the position. Even if they bring back Russell Wilson or Justin Fields, there are still questions about whether they can lead an efficient offense. In contrast, the other high-volume rushing teams all feature established top-10 quarterbacks who can manage a game in various ways. Even outside of the league’s elite, players like Jared Goff and Baker Mayfield have been at the helm of highly efficient, run-heavy offenses.

This highlights an essential truth: the best offenses in the game feature quarterbacks who can manage the game at a high level, which in turn enables a successful, high-volume rushing attack. Steelers Nation is well aware that securing a competent quarterback is critical for the passing game, but this also shows that even a dominant rushing attack requires defenses to respect who is under center—something that has been noticeably absent when the Steelers have faced strong opponents.

Knowing that the Steelers are committed to this identity, it can be seen as a positive, especially since it aligns with the direction the NFL appears to be trending. However, it remains crucial that they find the right quarterback—someone capable of earning the respect of playoff-caliber opponents—for their rushing attack to be truly effective. Who that player could be is still uncertain, but if they manage to land the right one, their running game might finally catch up to the league’s best, which will announce a grand return to “Steelers Football”.