Steelers' Offense Found Hidden Gem, And it Could Change Entire Year

The Pittsburgh Steelers have looked very good on offense over the past couple of weeks, and much of that is because of running back Jaylen Warren. 

With 70 carries for 410 yards, Warren currently averages 5.9 yards per carry, and is coming off three straight games with at least 93 yards and 15 carries per game. 

It's been impressive to see what he's done on the offensive side, but from a team standpoint, it's even more important. It always felt like the Steelers were going to be a team that threw the football at a somewhat high level, even with Aaron Rodgers being this old. 

However, with this run game now being able to add a different look, one Steelers insider believes that the team has found a different identity than it might have had to start the season.

"I feel like in some ways they almost stumbled into an identity," Mike DeFabo said, H/T Steelers Depot. "They wanted to be this spread-em-out, three-wide team, throw the ball a ton, which they did the first couple weeks of the season. Rico Dowdle gets hurt, a couple wide receivers get hurt. Now all of a sudden they're discovering a ground game and starting to throw to those tight ends.”

"I think this could be maybe a blessing in disguise,” DeFabo said of the Steelers' wide receiver injuries. "Obviously they're gonna count on other wide receivers, but throwing to Pat Freiermuth more... and continuing to give the ball to Jaylen Warren. I think that it's important because this young offensive line does have talent, and when you see them run block, you could see the pedigree, the temperament, the potential of this line start to show itself.”

The one thing I'm curious about is whether the Steelers can do this when everybody is healthy. I don't want to see the team rely on others outside of Warren if guys come back and are good to go. Ultimately, a lot of this should fall on what's working right now. With how well Warren has played and the run game, looking at the level that it has, that opens up the entire passing game. 

Not to say Pittsburgh has to run the football every play, but it makes life a lot easier for Rodgers and the rest of the players on the offense when Warren is performing at this level.