Alright, so I decided to spend some time really digging into the Pittsburgh Steelers running backs situation. It’s something I’ve been meaning to do, just to get a better handle on things myself, you know?
I started off just thinking about who they have right now. Obviously, Najee Harris comes to mind. Big guy, first-round pick. Been carrying the load. Then there’s Jaylen Warren, who kinda burst onto the scene. Seems like a totally different style of runner, more jittery and quick.
My Process
So, my first step was just to confirm the current roster. I pulled up the basic team info, just to see who’s officially listed. Yep, Harris and Warren are the main guys. Okay, check.
Then I thought, I gotta see how these two actually play together. I didn’t just want to look at stats sheets, that stuff only tells you half the story. So, I went back and started watching some game highlights from last season. Not full games, just key plays, running plays specifically.
- I watched some of Najee’s runs – powerful, falls forward, tough yards.
- Then I looked at Warren’s touches – explosive, good in space, catches the ball well too.
It really struck me how different they are. It’s like that classic thunder and lightning thing people talk about. Seems like a smart setup, having two guys who can do different things. Keeps defenses guessing, I guess.
After looking at the current guys, my brain naturally drifted back to the past. You can’t talk Steelers running backs without thinking about the legends, right?
Franco Harris, obviously. The Immaculate Reception guy, but way more than that. A cornerstone of those 70s dynasty teams. I remember seeing old footage, just a powerful, iconic runner.
And then, Jerome Bettis. “The Bus”. Man, watching his highlights again was fun. Just running over people. Pure power. It’s kinda funny how the Steelers always seem to like having these big, bruising backs.
Some Thoughts
Trying to compare these guys across eras is tough, though. The game’s changed so much. Linemen are different, defenses are different. You watch Franco’s runs, then Bettis’s, then Najee’s… it’s all football, but it feels different. The styles, the blocking schemes, everything.
It also got me thinking about how teams build their running back rooms now. It used to feel like you had one main guy who got almost all the carries. Now, having a duo like Harris and Warren feels more common across the league. Maybe it’s smarter, keeps guys healthier, offers more versatility. I dunno, just something I noticed.
So yeah, spent a good chunk of time just watching clips, reading old player bios, comparing how Najee and Jaylen are used versus how guys like Franco and Bettis were. It wasn’t super scientific, just me kinda exploring and connecting the dots based on what I was seeing and remembering.
Overall, it feels like the Steelers are in a decent spot with Harris and Warren. They complement each other well. It was interesting to dive into the history a bit too, reminds you of the standard those guys set. Anyway, that was my little project for the day. Just wanted to share what I looked into.
