He led the Steelers in rushing from 1961 to 1964 and made three straight Pro Bowls from 1962 to '64. A bruising Hall of Famer running back, Franco Harris was the perfect embodiment of the Pittsburgh Steelers offense during their championship runs in the 1970s. But Jackson was still one of the best runners of the 2010s. In 2015 he finished second in the league in rushing and earned a spot on the All-Pro Team. The Steelers ran out the pro set for most of the 1970s and 1980s under head coach Chuck Noll. I could be wrong. On a better team, Jones-Drew may have been able to flourish for longer than three seasons, but from 2009-11, he was one of the best backs in the league. Today's NFL teams do not use fullbacks as often as they once did, instead favoring spread offenses and dynamic passing attacks featuring three or more wide receivers and multiple tight ends. Please see our Contributors and Sources page for data source details. Pittsburgh Steelers player information and depth chart order. 2023 NFL draft: 4 running backs for Chargers to watch at Combine The former Titan had only 28 catches for 294 yards last year . Abercrombie played one more season in 1988 with the cross state Philadelphia Eagles before retiring. His best season was in 1985 when he rushed for 991 yards. He's been named All-Pro and led the NFL in rushing touchdowns during each of the last two years too. Joey Porter. Franco Harris is the Pittsburgh Steelers career leader in rushing yards with 11,950. Harris disputed that and said he was 240 pounds as a rookie. It is unfortunate, and I would guess I am not alone in wishing the Steelers would return to their roots and play power football again. The number of games they started during the season is listed to the right of their name: These quarterbacks have the most starts for the Steelers in regular season games. Matte took over for another fantastic white running back, former Heisman Trophy winner and 1958 NFL Championship Game hero Alan Ameche. Bullet Bill Dudley is also in the record books for the National Football League as the only man to run for a touchdown, catch a touchdown pass, return a punt for a score, run to the end zone on a kickoff return, intercept a pass for a pick-six, pick up a fumble and reach pay dirt, and throw a touchdown pass. When running the ball, they often do so out of one-back sets and shotgun and pistol formations. Top 10 All Time Steelers Running Backs - Pittsburgh Sporting News Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports. Charles may have to wait awhile to get into the Hall of Fame because despite an 11-year career, his prime was rather short. 12. But during the Super Bowl seasons of 1978 and 1979, Sidney Thornton played a significant role in the Steelers' rushing attack. Over the past six years, he has covered the NFL, NHL, MLB, fantasy sports, college football and basketball, and New Jersey high school sports for numerous print and online publications. The 32-year-old has been a bit of a journeyman, playing for five different teams this decade. Top-15 NFL Seasons by Running Backs in the 2010s Sadly, the days of Steelers Football seem to have gone the way of the dropkick. He finished with 585 yards and scored six touchdowns including a 75-yard run. Conner responded with a Pro Bowl performance and gave Steeler Nation hope that hed become the next great Pittsburgh running back. One of the best free agent signings of the Mike Tomlin era, DeAngelo Williams was never thought to be more than a top backup running back. Pittsburgh Steelers Career Rushing Leaders. Current team members are listed in bold. The Steelers have always had great defensive playersand that hasn't changedbut the Steelers of today have fallen into the trendy traps of modern offenses with little use for a fullback. Bill Dudley also played with the Detroit Lions and Washington Redskins after leaving the Steelers, and finished his career with 3,057 yards rushing, 1,383 yards receiving, punted the ball for a total of 7,304 yards, and on defense intercepted 23 passes. Former Steelers running back Willie Parker (39) acknowledges the crowd during a 2018 against the Chargers at Heinz Field. All-time Rushing Leader: Franco Harris 2,881 att, 11,950 yds, 91 TD . Visit ESPN to view the Pittsburgh Steelers team depth chart for the current season Preston Pearson: Pearson wore Rocky Bleiers college number of 26 and was a solid football player who was a member of the Steelers first Super Bowl winning team in 1975 when they defeated the Minnesota Vikings 16-6 in Super Bowl IX. Over the entire decade, he posted 6,417 rushing yards and 7,909 yards from scrimmage with the Titans, Jets and Cardinals from 2010-17. At the time of the second injury, he was no longer with the Steelers but playing for the Chicago Bears and sued that teams doctor resulting in a $1.55 million judgment in favor of Hoge. To prepare, we at Chargers Wire are previewing players from every position. Gordon averaged a career-best 5.1 yards per carry in 2018. In nine seasons all as a Steeler, Pollard scored 20 touchdowns. During the 2021 offseason, Pittsburgh declined to re-sign Conner, making him a free agent and creating an opportunity for the Arizona Cardinals to scoop him up. List of National Football League career rushing yards leaders Fuqua was not an original Steelers having been drafted by the New York Giants and then traded to Pittsburgh. In 2011 Jones-Drew led the league with 1,606 rushing yards and 386 touches. 2022 Offseason Positional Review - Running Back - Steelers Depot The on-field portion of the NFL Combine begins on Thursday, marking the start of the testing circuit that propels some prospects into the stratosphere while ruining the stock of others. The 8 Best And 7 Worst Running Backs In Pittsburgh Steelers History While that trio may be the best-best-of-the best to run behind Pittsburghs all-time offensive lines, there have been more than a handful of outstanding running backs for Pittsburgh since they began play in 1933. Barkley reminded the NFL world this past season that he's one of the best running backs in the league by rushing for a career-high 1,312 yards and 10 touchdowns. If youve followed the Steelers, you've probably heard the term "Steelers Football." Adrian Peterson is a running back with over thirteen years in the NFL. But he stayed. The running back fell just short of 1,000 yards from scrimmage last season after finishing with 1,414 yards in his rookie campaign. Rashard Mendenhall only played five seasons with the Steelers but rushed for a respectable 3,549 yards in 57 games. But Harris and the Steelers' rushing attack were just getting started. March 1, 2023 2:19 pm PT. Steelers all-time 53-man roster: '70s legends, 'Killer Bs' headline Foster made one attempt to come out of retirement with the Cincinnati Bengals that same year but after just a few days with the club he decided on retirement at the tender age of 26. In 2011 and 2013, he made All-Pro, and in 2013 he posted 2,146 yards from scrimmage. He tailed off to 928 the following season and then suffered injuries in 2012 playing in just six games before the Steelers cut him loose where he signed with the Arizona Cardinals lasting just one season after 687 yards on the ground. Who should be on top of the Steelers NFL Free Agency board? As a Steeler, Bettis crashed his way for 10,571 rushing yards and 78 rushing touchdowns, both second-best in team history. The 2016 All-Pro had his own issue staying on the field because of a suspension in 2017, but despite that Elliott has 4,048 rushing yards and led the league in rushing twice in three years. During this decade, he earned two Pro Bowl nominations and an All-Pro bid. He will be called an innovator or maybe even a genius when his team wins a Super Bowl by smashing its way through flimsy NFL defenses that are designed to stop passing attacks. With a 3.5 yards per carry average and zero touchdowns, his rookie season was a major disappointment, but Gordon has answered all his doubters since then. But from 2015-16, he posted more than 1,000 rushing yards, 1,500 yards from scrimmage and at least 13 touchdowns each season. As a rookie, on a terrible offense, he finished as a top 24 running back in 93% of his games last year. February 27, 2023 3 min Watch. Hopefully the Christmas edition of DraftKings top performers and busts finds you warm among family and friends as we unwrap the matchups in daily fantasy football for Week 16.The difficulty and uneasiness of lineup construction is increasing as more and more players we havent heard of become viable DFS starters in 2015s closing act.Use the list below to fill your roster with glad tidings while . Foster timed his career perfectly for this list, breaking out with 1,616 yards, leading the league in rushing, in 2010. He spent his first year in the NFL with the Giants before coming to the Steelers in 1970. Gurley has rushed for 4,547 rushing yards and recorded 6,430 yards from scrimmage with 56 touchdowns. Bleier was injured during his tour of duty and told he would never play football again, but he returned to the Steelers and fought his way back into football shape, eventually playing 10 more seasons in the NFL. Bettis was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015. Draft Henry with absolute confidence this season if you have a top-five pick. His career ended on a sad note in Minnesota, but Peterson regained his form with another 1,000-yard season with Washington in 2018. In 27 games Hunt has 2,151 rushing yards, 2,984 yards from scrimmage and 25 touchdowns. 6:02; See All. Greatest Power Backs in NFL History. Bill Dudley: Bullet Bill was his nickname and a great running back he was. The only exception in madden 22 was a glitched out ray Lewis that was 97 at mlb but 99 at r/lolb. But it was his story of injury during the war that gave him notoriety at the start of his career. NFL combine: CB prospect hoping for on-field family reunion Morris signed with Baltimore Ravens where he lasted just two seasons before the Chicago Bears and Kansas City Chiefs took a chance on him in 1998. Find out more. He returned to put . Bleier starred in Super Bowl XIII with a touchdown reception and a recovered onside kick to seal Pittsburghs third NFL title. NFL combine: How elite draft prospect Bijan Robinson represents league Breaking down the 10 best running backs in Steelers' history Hoak's record as the team's running backs coach was 149-90-1, making him the third-most successful running backs coach in Pittsburgh Steelers history. Unfortunately, injuries have slowed him over the last couple of years and prevented him from running for more than 865 yards in a season. Dick Hoak: The running backs coach for the Steelers for an incredible 35 years, Hoak was also an excellent player at the position he would spend so many years coaching up. His rookie contract was voided after his fourth season, after just one in Pittsburgh, and there were opportunities to leave. Lists that rank the greatest players and coaches in the history of the NFL franchise. He finished his career in Pittsburgh with 3,115 rushing yards, 241 receptions, and 34 total touchdowns. The running back ran for 1,200 yards and seven touchdowns on 307 carries, and caught 74 passes for 467 yards and three touchdowns. Ranking every player on the Steelers free agency board Rocky Bleier came to the Steelers in 1968. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. When a running back like Jerome Bettis, Franco Harris, or John Henry Johnson tramples linebackers and safeties all game, it grinds opponents down and destroys their will to compete. There have been some running backs in Steelers history who had one or two good seasons in Pittsburgh, then went on their way. Fuqua led the Steelers in rushing in 1970 and 1971 and totaled 2,942 yards on the ground during his time in Pittsburgh. He also earned the first of two consecutive First-Team All-Pro selections. Parker had a shot to lead the NFL in rushing in 2007, but he broke his leg in the regular season's penultimate game and finished with 1,316 yards. He was cut twice but kept up his persistence. The Steelers had jumped offsides on the play and it was called back. Which of these tight ends has left a lasting legacy in the city of Pittsburgh? Year Top Defense. He only spent six seasons with the Steelers, but it was enough to rack up 4,381 rushing yards and land him at number five for all-time leading rushers in Pittsburgh history. In 2007, Fuqua created a candy and marketed it as The Immaculate Confection. But aside from that 1972 playoff game with the Oakland Raiders, Fuqua could be seen off the field wearing the flashiest of clothes that included shoes with see-through heals and live fish in them. As a Steeler running back, Hoak would spend his entire career with Pittsburgh that began in 1961 as a seventh round draft pick after running for the Penn State Nittany Lions. Some teams also used them as receivers, and fullbacks like Larry Centers made a living catching passes out of the backfield. Overall, he ran for 4,731 yards and 28 touchdowns playing for the Rams, Falcons and Patriots from 2010-15. But Foster ended up as a one-hit wonder because when he was at peak ability he really didn't love the game, and then it became too late. Bleier was an outstanding lead blocker as well as being able to run the ball well and also had solid hands as a receiver. Chances are it is an announcer who remembers some of the great backs in Steelers history and how they dominated the game. Sutton not only enjoyed the best year of his career, but he also arguably played like a top-10 cornerback. Included are player stats for the Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL) from 1945-2022, the Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL) from 1940-1942 and the Pittsburgh Pirates (NFL) from 1933-1939. Power Ranking AFC North Running Backs | Steelers Now Dudley owns 44 touchdowns to his credit. Eight players have been recognized as having held the career rushing yards record in the NFL. But from 2010-17, Forte averaged 1,419 yards from scrimmage per season. Hunt offers some stability in the pass-game as he had 44 . This decade, Sproles has also led the league in punt return yardage twice. Player ratings with position rankings. 5. He ran for 5,378 yards while playing at Heinz Field. Running Back Contracts and Salaries | Over The Cap Bam Morris: Morris story is a sad, tragic, and unfulfilled one. The 25 best running backs of the 2010s | Yardbarker Winning three Super Bowls helps earn you a spot on this list too. Just look back to last year when he was able to make cuts and find holes. . In fact, no back has even finished top-two in consecutive years, and only Adrian Peterson (second in 2009 and 2015; first in 2012) and Le'Veon Bell (first in 2014; second in 2017) have even had more than one top-two year in a decade. W. Va. bill would give tax credits to ex-residents to move back Having gone through a tough contract negotiation in 1995, the Steelers instead of trying to settle traded Foster over to the Carolina Panthers who then cut the running back in training camp due to a failed physical. Le'veon Bell also earned a reputation as one of the most patient RBs in the NFL. During recent years, he's become somewhat forgotten in Buffalo, but McCoy has both All-Pro seasons and multiple 1,000-yard campaigns to his credit this decade. Fuqua to this day refuses to give his take on what actually took place. In two seasons, he is already 18th among all Steelers backs in rushing. In Dick Hoak's 10 years as a Steeler, he only saw two winning seasons. Peterson missed all but one game in 2014 because of a child abuse case, but he returned to lead the NFL in rushing during 2015. Lynch was an underrated pass-catcher in his prime too. As the tight end position increasingly becomes more of a focal point in offensive schemes , one. Bell made three Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams as a Steeler. They will be joined by this year's selection, making six for the 2022 season. He'll go down as one of the best power backs in history, and in this decade Lynch has carried the ball 1,791 times for 7,778 yards. He already has as many touchdowns rushing as Bam Morris Unfortunately, before the season began last year, Bell was arrested with LeGarrette Blount for a DWI and possession of marijuana. Harris played 980 offensive snaps during the regular season . Dudley could do it all on the field as he was just not a back but a defensive back, punter, and place kicker. While the team continued to utilize the same rushing attack that had earned them four Lombardi Trophies in the '70s, the cast of characters and the results were not the same. Many NFL teams used a pro-style offense during the same period, and this was an age when the fullback was a vital ball carrier. Nick Chubb finished first the AFC North in 2021 with 1,259 rushing yards, despite finishing third with 228 carries. Of course, we all know why. In the I-formation, the fullback lines up behind the quarterback, and the halfback (tailback) lines up behind the fullback. All Rights Reserved. In later years Bleier helped pen a book about himself and a movie was made about his story titled Fighting Back.. Steelers GM confirms extension negotiations with key defender have started Jerome Bettis is the latest Steelers running back to become a member in Canton, Ohio. From '61 to '64, he was part of a powerful rushing attack along with Hall of Famer John Henry Johnson. As an undrafted rookie in 2004, Bill Cowher took a chance on the 5-foot-10, 209-pound first-year player and Parker impressed sharing time with The Bus, Jerome Bettis. Meanwhile, at No. These honorable mentions may not have a place on this list of all-time best Steelers running backs, but if you are a Steelers fan, there is a good chance you'll remember them fondly. The Pittsburgh Steelers' 2020 running back room has the assortments of all the skillsets you could find around the NFL. The Pittsburgh Steelers have a long history of smash-mouth football dating back to before they ever won their first Super Bowl. With the Redskins, Cowboys and 49ers, Morris has 5,931 rushing yards and 34 touchdowns in the 2010s. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. 'Top 10, he would not get laughs' Thirty-five picks elapsed before a team drafted a running back last year. He ranks fourth all-time in franchise history for rushing yards and eighth all-time in receptions. Rob Burns / AP Photo. The Steelers haven't shied away from targeting lesser-valued positions by the modern standard early in recent drafts, such as running back, linebacker and maybe to a lesser degree, safety. The Steelers had a reputation of big bruising backs but Parker spelled that philosophy with speed and elusiveness. Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers. In both seasons, he made All-Pro. Fullback Franco Harris came to the Steelers in the 1972 draft and made an immediate impact. Bleier believed the doctors were wrong and reported to Steelers training camp a year after he left the war. He's rushed for only 2,599 yards this decade, but everyone knows he's far more than just a running back. Last edited on 19 February 2023, at 18:43, Boston Braves / Boston Redskins / Washington Redskins, List of National Football League records (individual), List of National Football League rushing champions, List of National Football League career rushing touchdowns leaders, List of National Football League annual rushing touchdowns leaders, "NFL Rushing Yards Career Playoffs Leaders", "History of the Career Rushing Yards Record", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_National_Football_League_career_rushing_yards_leaders&oldid=1140354500, This page was last edited on 19 February 2023, at 18:43. In 79 games with the Steelers, he carried the ball for 3,343 yards and 22 touchdowns. Harris is my fourth-ranked running back for the 2022 season. The team made it to the playoffs ten times ( 1992-1997 , 2001-2002 , 2004-2005 ) and had a 12-9 record under Coach Hoak in playoff games. The speedy running backs, the classic old power running back, and the mixed, well-rounded, good running back. More like he will get exposed yet again as being the most overrated running back in the league . Those three men will be bypassed for this article despite Johnson ranking third in the all-time rushing yardage for the Black and Gold. Meanwhile, Myles Jack's cap hit grows significantly from $4.75 million last year to $11.25 million in 2023. Pittsburgh Steelers History: Top 10 Running Backs Of All-Time These quarterbacks have started at least one game for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Offseason Strategy: Already having their starting running back for the immediate future, the offseason as it concerns the running back position will be dedicated solely toward seeking out quality . List of Pittsburgh Steelers starting quarterbacks, "1933 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1934 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1935 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1936 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1937 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1938 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1939 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1940 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1941 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1942 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1943 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1944 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1945 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1946 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1947 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1948 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1949 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1950 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1951 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1952 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1953 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1954 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1955 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1956 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1957 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1958 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1959 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1960 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1961 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1962 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1963 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1964 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1965 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1966 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1967 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1968 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1969 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1970 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1971 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1972 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1973 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1974 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1975 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1976 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1977 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1978 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1979 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1980 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1981 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1982 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1983 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1984 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1985 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1986 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1987 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1988 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1989 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1990 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1991 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1992 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1993 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1994 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1995 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1996 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1997 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1998 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1999 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "2000 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "2001 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "2002 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "2003 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "2004 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "2005 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "2006 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "2007 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "2008 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "2009 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "2010 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "2011 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "2012 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "2013 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "2014 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "2015 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "2016 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "2017 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "2018 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "2019 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "2020 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "2021 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "2022 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", Pittsburgh Steelers Franchise Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_Pittsburgh_Steelers_starting_quarterbacks&oldid=1132399114, This page was last edited on 8 January 2023, at 18:18.
