The Pittsburgh Steelers took care of the New York Jets on primetime in Week 7. It was a blowout by a score of 37-15, which marks the second consecutive game where Pittsburgh put up at least 30 points in a game. The amazing thing is that they accomplished that with two different quarterbacks, as Justin Fields got benched prior to this contest in favor of Russell Wilson. It took a little while for the offense to get going, but once they did, there was no way to stop the runaway train.
During his postgame press conference, Najee Harris was asked about if the 2024 Steelers' offense is the most efficient one that he has ever been in, and he did not hesitate to say his thoughts on the team around him.
"One hundred percent, man," Harris said. "This is the most efficient [offense] in my years being here -- and usually, we turn it around later in the season, but it happened so early, and to have this momentum going, I think that's just a sign of what's to come in the future, because us coming in early and starting fast -- this is the best... this is my fourth year... the best we've started off. I think that's the dedication to the guys in the quarterback room into the o-line and the coaches too... just the team all meshing well and happening this early. I think it's a sign of good things to happen."
Since being drafted in 2021, Harris has seen plenty of slow starts and rough skids. The offense usually finds some time in the season to pick up and actually get going, but for the last two years, they found a groove at the very end of the season. If the Steelers can stick with this group and keep firing on all cylinders, the sky is the limit for the whole team.
Harris had 21 carries for 102 yards and a touchdown in the game against the Jets. It also helps to have Jaylen Warren back to help him out as a change-of-pace running back. The two-headed monster had made all kinds of noise in 2023, and they are both at their bests when they are healthy and can feed off of each other. The chemistry between them is unlike any other tandem in the league.
It doesn't matter whether Wilson or Fields steps in at quarterback. In Week 6, with the young guy under center, Harris went off. He had 14 carries for 106 yards and a score, and that was with Warren still not fully healthy. Even with the Steelers getting more production out of the passing game, they are still a ground-and-pound team at their core, and Harris needs to keep it up to help out whichever quarterback takes the field.
Steelers' Offensive Coordinator Changes Everything
While Arthur Smith had some issues during his tenure as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, he was still seen as an NFL-caliber mind that works perfectly with the Steelers' scheme and offensive approach. Despite having two different types of quarterbacks playing, he has managed to come up with a quality game plan for both of them, and that has led to the offense thriving, no matter who is under center.
The team is a far cry from the Matt Canada era, when any single player having a good game was very rare and the defense had to do all the work. The pace of play, the morale, and the mindset have all vastly improved since Canada was canned. This is Harris' first full season without him running the offense and it has been great. With every touchdown scored and all the chunk plays being made, the Steelers only wonder why they did not fire him sooner.
