Steelers Aim for Run-Pass Balance with Aaron Rodgers

Let’s be real—the Pittsburgh Steelers haven’t exactly been lighting up scoreboards lately. Tough? Absolutely. Relentless on the ground? No question. But let’s not kid ourselves—their offense has felt stuck in the 90s. Run, run, pass (maybe), punt. Rinse and repeat. And that’s why the Aaron Rodgers move is such a big deal. Yeah, he’s 40. Yeah, he’s coming off an Achilles tear. But come on—it’s Aaron freaking Rodgers. The guy sees the field like he’s playing Madden with cheat codes. If OC Arthur Smith plays this right, we might finally see some fireworks in Pittsburgh. About time, right?

The Steelers’ Run-Heavy Offense: What Worked (and What Didn’t)

Last season, the Steelers ran the ball more than just about anyone—4th most attempts in the league. Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren? Absolute beasts. Combined for over 1,800 yards. But here’s the problem: defenses knew what was coming. Stack the box, dare Mason Rudolph or Kenny Pickett to throw, and boom—Steelers go three-and-out. They finished dead last in passing yards. In today’s NFL, that’s like bringing a knife to a gunfight. Especially when you’re facing Mahomes, Burrow, or Allen in January.

Rodgers in Black and Gold: Why This Changes Everything

Okay, let’s talk about the elephant in the room—Rodgers’ age. Sure, he’s not the 2011 MVP version. But even last year, before the injury? Dude was still slinging it with that ridiculous precision. Second-highest passer rating in NFL history. And here’s the thing Pittsburgh’s been missing: he makes everyone around him better. Remember Davante Adams in Green Bay? Went from solid to superstar. Now imagine what he could do with George Pickens. Scary thought for AFC North defenses.

Arthur Smith’s Tightrope Walk: Keeping the Run Game Strong

Smith’s no idiot—he knows you can’t just abandon the run. This is Steelers football, after all. But balance? That’s where the magic happens. Back in 2020 with the Titans, he had Derrick Henry bulldozing people and Ryan Tannehill throwing play-action dimes. Result? 4th highest-scoring offense in the league. Now swap Tannehill for Rodgers. “You have to keep defenses honest,” Smith said last week. No kidding. With Rodgers’ play-action skills (career 8.8 yards per attempt off fakes), safeties can’t just creep into the box anymore.

The Pickens Factor: A Match Made in Football Heaven

George Pickens might be the biggest winner here. The guy makes circus catches look routine—just toss it near him and pray. And Rodgers? He’s the king of back-shoulder throws and sideline fades. It’s like pairing a Ferrari with an F1 driver. And don’t sleep on Pat Freiermuth either. Smith loves using tight ends (see: Jonnu Smith in Tennessee), and Rodgers has always had a soft spot for them. Red zone nightmares incoming.

Wait—This Actually Helps the Run Game Too?

Here’s the funny part: Rodgers’ arm might make Harris and Warren even better. Sounds backwards, but think about it. No more eight-man boxes. Safeties have to stay deep. Suddenly, those 3-yard plunges turn into 5-yard gashes. When Rodgers was cooking in Green Bay, Aaron Jones averaged 5.5 per carry. Coincidence? Nah. And Warren catching passes out of the backfield? That’s just cheating.

Potential Roadblocks: It’s Not All Smooth Sailing

Look, I’m not saying this is a sure thing. Rodgers hasn’t learned a new offense since 2019. The O-line—better than last year, but still shaky. And let’s be honest, if they start 1-3, the drama will be at Defcon 1. But if anyone can handle locker room politics, it’s Mike Tomlin. The man could probably mediate peace talks in the Middle East.

Brady to the Bucs 2.0? Not Quite…

Everyone’s bringing up the 2020 Bucs comparison. Veteran QB, run-first team, elite defense—I get it. But here’s the difference: Brady walked into Bruce Arians’ “no risk it, no biscuit” offense. Rodgers has to adapt to Smith’s system, which is more run-centric. Still, if Tampa could jump from 24th to 3rd in scoring, why can’t Pittsburgh make a similar leap? Their weapons aren’t Evans and Godwin, but Pickens, Freiermuth, and Harris/Warren ain’t exactly slouches.

What’s the Verdict?

ESPN guys are calling it a “perfect marriage.” Fans are hyped (check Twitter—it’s a zoo). And the doubters? They’ve got valid points too. But here’s my take: even at 80%, Rodgers gives Pittsburgh something they haven’t had in years—a quarterback who scares people. That alone changes how defenses play them. If Smith finds that sweet spot between ground-and-pound and letting Rodgers cook? Watch out. The AFC North just got a whole lot more interesting.

One last thing—remember how Steelers-Ravens games are always 17-14 slugfests? Yeah, those days might be over. And honestly? Thank god for that.

Source: ESPN – News