Two games into the season, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ rushing attack hasn’t shown significant improvements over last season.
In fact, so far, it’s been worse.
Among the many disappointing aspects of Sunday’s 31-17 home-opening defeat to the Seattle Seahawks was that the running game managed 3.4 yards per carry and 72 total rushing yards.
Combined with the victory at the New York Jets in Week 1, through two games the Steelers have a total of 125 rushing yards at a rate of 3.0 yards per attempt.
For context, the worst yards per carry number for any NFL team over any of the past eight full seasons is 3.3. (The 2024 Steelers averaged 4.1 yards per attempt and ranked among the bottom 10 of the league).
The Steelers have one carry of more than 9 yards. For comparison’s sake, their opponents have 10.
“You know, we have the possess the ball more,” coach Mike Tomlin said when asked about the rushing offense. “Certainly, we’re capable of running it better, but time of possession — or lack thereof — and our opponents’ ability to (hold possession) has been a component of that equation or that discussion the last two weeks.”
The Steelers have had the ball for less time than the Jets and Seahawks, respectively, over the first two games of the season. Combined, the Steelers have had possession for 54 minutes and the defense has been on the field for 66 minutes.
Against Seattle, Jaylen Warren led the Steelers with 48 rushing yards on 14 carries. Kenneth Gainwell added 20 on five carries, and rookie Kaleb Johnson carried once for 1 yard.
