Pittsburgh Review

The Pittsburgh Steelers' running backs had a significant role in the 2024 season under the guidance of offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. The team's strategy heavily relied on their running game, as evidenced by their third-highest rushing attempt percentage in the league at 52.1%.

Najee Harris led the backfield with 263 carries for 1,043 yards and six touchdowns, along with 36 receptions for 283 yards. This marked his fourth consecutive season exceeding 1,000 rushing yards since joining the NFL. "Naj has had an awesome four years here," said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, acknowledging Harris' consistency and upcoming free agency status.

Jaylen Warren complemented Harris with 511 rushing yards on 120 carries and added 38 catches for 310 yards despite missing two games due to a hamstring injury. He also contributed as a kick returner alongside Cordarrelle Patterson.

Patterson averaged 21.8 yards per return on kickoffs but struggled to make a significant impact under new Dynamic Kickoff rules. However, he maintained an average of 4.2 yards per carry over his limited attempts.

Aaron Shampklin filled in as needed during injuries to other players, achieving an average of 25.3 yards per kick return—the highest on the team.

With Harris potentially entering unrestricted free agency and Warren eligible for restricted free agency, the Steelers face decisions regarding their running back lineup ahead of the new league year starting in March.