Aug 22, 2021 5 min read

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH – Steelers running back Najee Harris enjoys a challenge.

In his rookie season, Harris, the team’s 2021 first-round pick, will be tasked with playing behind a revamped offensive line, while also helping to improve a rushing attack that ranked last in the NFL last season.

“My job is to do everything I can to create better situations so we can be in better down and distances for the team,” Harris said. “It’s my job to create something when there’s nothing there. It’s my job to hit the holes when there’s something there. My job is to do what I can every run to help out the team.”

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said the rookie will play in all four preseason games.

“He needs the process of game preparation and then ultimately play,” Tomlin said. “I’m excited about watching him do that for the first time. I think he’s going to learn and grow from that, aside from actual play in the game.”

The ground game was an offseason focal point for the Steelers.

Pittsburgh rushed for more than 100 yards in each of its first five games of 2020, but topped the century mark just once during its final 12 games. The Steelers rushed for fewer than 52 yards seven times during that span, as Pittsburgh stumbled down the stretch with losses in five of its final six games, including a 48-37 blowout against Cleveland in the first round of the playoffs.

Pittsburgh’s inability to run the ball allowed defenses to figure out a predictable short passing attack.

The Steelers selected Harris with the 24th overall pick in the 2021 draft to aid quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and a passing game that ranked seventh in the AFC and 15th in the NFL.

Harris finished his college career No. 1 in Alabama history with 3,843 rushing yards and 57 total touchdowns. Harris, who caught 43 passes for 425 yards as a senior, has also lined up at wide receiver during training camp practices in Pittsburgh.

“You best believe, if I’m out (wide), I’m out there running routes,” Harris said. “I’m not a decoy. I’m live, for sure.”

Roethlisberger threw for 33 touchdowns in his return from right-elbow surgery that cut short his 2019 season. He took a pay cut to return for an 18th season. He’ll do it playing behind a totally revamped offensive line. Maurkice Pouncey retired, David DeCastro was cut and Alejandro Villanueva left in free agency. The three combined for 17 Pro Bowls. The collective resumes of their replacements are thin by comparison, save for Trai Turner, who signed in June just hours after DeCastro was released.

The offense also will have to adjust to Matt Canada, who was promoted to offensive coordinator. It’s a lot of moving parts to figure out for a team with a brutal schedule and the usual sky-high internal expectations.

The offense does return Chase Claypool, who was sensational at times as a rookie, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Diontae Johnson at wide receiver.

The NFL’s third-ranked defense led the league in sacks for a fourth straight year but wore down late in the season.

Alex Highsmith will take over for Bud Dupree at outside linebacker opposite T.J. Watt. Devin Bush returns from a knee injury, as does Vince Williams, who was cut and then re-signed at a lower salary. The secondary is set with Cam Sutton replacing the effective but expensive Steven Nelson.

Watt led the league with 15 sacks last season, but he finished second to Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald for the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year award. Watt said he isn’t using his runner-up finish to Donald as additional motivation heading into this season. That’s in the past as far as he’s concerned.

“It doesn’t matter,” Watt said. “Winning the Super Bowl is all that really matters in the grand scheme of things. I love football and I am trying to get better each and every day. There are so many aspects of my game that need work. Learning and improving my game is what I’m most excited about.”

The Steelers added depth by signing nine-year veteran linebacker Melvin Ingram prior to the start of training camp. Ingram, a three-time Pro Bowler, has 49 career sacks and is expected to rotate into the mix.

Roethlisberger did not come back so he could be feted by rocking chairs at visiting stadiums in what could be a farewell tour. The Steelers believe their window to be a legitimate Super Bowl contender remains open as long as he’s behind center. A running game bolstered by Harris’ arrival would certainly help take the pressure off a short-passing game that became far too predictable after Thanksgiving.

Canada proved to be a wiz while working next door at Pitt in 2016. The Panthers averaged 40 points per game that season. If he can find a way to get the Steelers to around 30 points on a regular basis, that should be enough considering the talent on defense.