In 2024, the Pittsburgh Steelers will have a redesigned offensive line. Arthur Smith has taken over as offensive coordinator from Matt Canada, and Russell Wilson will probably open the season at quarterback. Along with investing heavily on Wilson’s offensive line, the Steelers also acquired some new weapons. Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, running backs for the Steelers, are players to watch in 2024, according to a former Super Bowl champion.
Ike Taylor and Mark Bergin, co-hosts of the Bleav in Steelers podcast, recently talked about the Steelers’ 2024 regular season schedule. Co-host Mark Bergin noted that the Indianapolis Colts have a potent offensive line led by Quentin Nelson and a dynamic running game with Anthony Richardson and Jonathan Taylor while talking about the team’s Week 4 battle against them.
Ike Taylor sprang into action to protect the Steelers’ running scheme.
With a shrug, Taylor remarked, “I guess you ain’t respecting Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren behind a revamped offensive line, but hey.”
Bergin didn’t seem to be disparaging the Steelers by bringing up the Colts’ running game. As one of the NFL’s most underappreciated running back tandems, Ike Taylor felt compelled to defend Harris and Warren.
That story is beginning to change. Warren and Harris are becoming more well-known following a successful 2023 season finale. Including the playoffs, the Steelers ran for six total touchdowns and more than 100 yards per game in their final four games of the previous season.
Warren was recently hailed by ESPN’s Mina Kimes as one of the league’s best complete backs.
Who will be the Pittsburgh Steelers’ top rusher in 2024?
The Pittsburgh Steelers collectively ran for 2,010 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2023. This is how that was divided between Warren and Harris.
255 loads
1,035 yards of rushes
8 touchdowns, 4.1 yards per carry
Warren Jaylen
149 rushes for 784 yards.
4 touchdowns, 5.3 yards per carry
Pittsburgh’s offensive line, which PFF ranked as the 11th best run blocking unit in the NFL in 2023, enabled them to achieve these outcomes. It’s reasonable to question if Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, and Troy Fautanu, the rookies, will improve things on the left side of the line. Before the rookies start playing well, it can take them some time to develop chemistry.
When switching from Matt Canada’s offence to Arthur Smith’s, there are additional schematic adjustments. Under Smith, Pittsburgh might be even more run-heavy.
In the end, the Pittsburgh rusher with the most opportunities will probably be the best one. Although Jaylen Warren is a more effective running back than Najee Harris, volume isn’t necessarily preferable to efficiency. If Harris keeps surpassing Warren in the number of carries per season, he might easily win the title of top rusher for the Steelers once again.
