Steelers Lean on Running Game to Go 6-2

Pittsburgh's ground attack has carried the offense through eight games, with Jaylen Warren leading the way.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Football

The Pittsburgh Steelers are 6-2 this season, averaging 117.9 rushing yards per game through eight games. Running back Jaylen Warren has 704 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 119 carries.

Why it matters

The Steelers' offense relies almost entirely on the run, with the team ranked 18th in the NFL at 22.5 points per game. The approach gives the offense its identity, according to former running back Merril Hoge.

Warren has 704 rushing yards on 119 carries, averaging 5.9 yards per carry, and 294 receiving yards on 25 receptions from 35 targets through eight games. The Steelers average 117.9 rushing yards per game, though the scoring average of 22.5 points ranks 18th in the league.

The players

Jaylen Warren

Jaylen Warren is a Steelers running back who has been the team's leading rusher through eight games this season.

Merril Hoge

Merril Hoge is a former NFL running back who now works as a football analyst and commentator.

The details

Hoge said on The OG Football Show that the Steelers' ground game gives the offense an identity. The team has also changed its starting guard and tackle, and center Zach Frazier and guard Mason McCormick are part of the line that supports the run game.

Through eight games: Warren's season rushing and receiving totals were recorded.
November 6, 2026: Hoge's comments on The OG Football Show were published.

Season Trajectory

The Steelers' 6-2 start rests on a rushing attack that Merril Hoge describes as the core of the offense's identity. Through eight games, that identity is reflected in both Warren's totals and the team's per-game rushing average.

For fantasy managers, Warren's 25 receptions and 294 receiving yards add value beyond his rushing production. The Steelers' reliance on the run means his touch volume is likely to remain central to the offense.

The takeaway

The Steelers' 6-2 record shows that a consistent ground game can carry an offense that ranks 18th in scoring. Teams watching the Steelers should note how central the run has been to their results so far.