The Pittsburgh Steelers added three wide receivers this offseason (if you’re including Iowa return specialist Kaden Wetjen in that group). They just re-signed QB Aaron Rodgers. Factor in new head coach Mike McCarthy, and the Steelers offense will be trying to throw all over the park. Right?
Not so fast. Beat writer Mark Kaboly joined the Fan Morning Show on 93.7 The Fan Monday, and co-host Adam Crowley asked Kaboly if the Steelers are actually building an offense predicated on the run.
“I think they want to,” Kaboly said. “I mean, look at the personnel. With the receivers who can block, and Dowdle and Warren, even Nowakowski and Washington and Freiermuth, and some of the bigger offensive line, they want to be that physical team on both sides of the ball. I can see them trying to be that smash-mouth team.”
When the Steelers brought in the aforementioned RB Rico Dowdle, he had similar things to say about Mike McCarthy’s offensive identity. Dowdle played under McCarthy when he was the Dallas Cowboys’ head coach, so Dowdle has experience in a McCarthy offense.
This isn’t just talk, either. The Steelers certainly approached the offseason with the intention of upgrading their rushing offense. Last year, the Steelers generated 4.3 yards per carry, 17th in the league. No doubt, McCarthy aims for a better ranking this year.
So, not only did the Steelers sign Rico Dowdle, but they also added three new players to their offensive line room. In free agency, the Steelers signed former Cowboys OL Brock Hoffman. When our own Alex Kozora looked at his film, he saw a versatile depth piece who also has experience with McCarthy’s offense. Then, the Steelers double-dipped on offensive linemen in the draft, spending their first-round pick on OT Max Iheanachor and adding OL Gennings Dunker in the third. Will any of these three make an immediate impact this year? Who knows, but it shows a desire to continue building the offensive line into a powerhouse unit.
Kaboly also pointed out that the wide receiver position has willing and able blockers. That starts at the top with WR DK Metcalf, but the two big offseason acquisitions fit the bill as well. The Steelers traded for WR Michael Pittman Jr., and he talked about how he’s “willing to do all that dirty work” in the run game.
That theme continued when the Steelers drafted WR Germie Bernard in the second round. When our own Jake Brockhoff put on his college film, he saw a receiver who was more than willing to mix it up with defensive backs in the run game.
Yes, the Steelers want to build a successful passing game with Rodgers and all these targets. In Mike McCarthy’s mind, that all starts with the Steelers’ run game. Whether they’ll be able to play smash-mouth football remains to be seen. However, they’re certainly trying to be a more physical team.
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