Forget the passing slump: Data proves Steelers' shocking lack of rushing attempts is their biggest downfall

Forget the passing slump: Data proves Steelers' shocking lack of rushing attempts is their biggest downfall originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Steelers aren’t just struggling on offense — they’re drifting away from the identity that once gave them a chance in every game. And the two biggest issues dragging them down aren’t complicated or mysterious. They’re right there in the stat sheet.

Pittsburgh has gone from one of the league’s most committed rushing teams to one of its least. Combine that with the NFL’s worst time of possession, and it’s easy to see why the offense feels stuck in mud. For a team built on toughness and ball control, the shift is not only puzzling — it’s crippling.

In 2024, the Steelers averaged 30.2 rushing attempts per game, ranking 6th in the NFL. Their run game wasn’t always explosive, but it kept the offense balanced, set up play-action, and helped Mike Tomlin play the close, grind-it-out style he’s leaned on for years.

Why Pittsburgh’s Offensive Identity Has Completely Fallen Apart

Fast-forward to 2025, and that commitment has vanished. The Steelers are running the ball just 23.6 times per game, dropping all the way to 27th in the league. That’s not a small dip — that’s a philosophical flip. And the numbers show the consequences.

Pittsburgh ranks dead last in time of possession at 27:01 per game, meaning the defense is logging more snaps than any other unit in the NFL. A defense already struggling to get stops is being asked to survive marathon workloads with little help from the offense. It’s a losing formula.

Yet the team still appears to believe in Mike Tomlin’s trademark strategy: keep games close, do just enough on offense, and let the defense finish the job. Under normal circumstances, that blueprint requires a steady run game, long drives, and a defense with fresh legs. Instead, the passing game has been ineffective, the defense is gassed, and the team’s tempo is out of sync.