The Black and Gold Struggle to Pound the Rock

Photo Credit: The Draft Network

Third-year running back Najee Harris has regressed every year into his career. Harris looked like he was going to be a bellcow back for his entire career after his first year in the league, as he tallied 307 carries for 1,200 yards and seven touchdowns, while also adding 74 receptions on 94 targets, 467 receiving yards and three touchdowns. The average yards per carry in the NFL in 2021 over a 17-game span was 4.5, that was only 3.9 yards per carry…

Year two went as follows: 272 carries, 1,304 yards, seven touchdowns, 3.8 yards per carry, 41 receptions on 53 targets, 229 receiving yards and three touchdowns. He played all 17 games in both years, yet, his production went down.

The start of year three isn’t helping his case. In the team’s first three games, he has 35 carries for 139 yards and zero touchdowns. He’s also only had three catches on six targets for two…TWO yards and zero touchdowns. 

Is it playcalling? Steelers fans have made it known how they strongly dislike Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada. Is it a scheme fit issue? It could be them deciding to throw the ball more. Could it be that the team doesn’t trust him? 

Photo Credit: Patrick Smith, Getty Images

If this season for Harris goes as it's been going, he’ll finish with just 787 yards rushing, zero rushing touchdowns, 17 catches on 34 targets and just 11 yards receiving. Will that happen? Probably not. But those numbers are the average in each statistical category based on his first three games this season. It’s not looking good for Harris’ future in Pittsburgh. All offseason, Jaylen Warren was rumored to potentially cut into Harris’ carries, it has yet to happen. Time will tell, but this Steelers team and Kenny Pickett could use a run game and take pressure off of Pickett.