The Pittsburgh Steelers are gaining 6.8 yards per play from under center, a rate Locked On Steelers host Christopher Carter said ranks second in the NFL. Yet Pittsburgh has lined up under center on just 47.7% of first downs, which ranks 30th, Carter said. The gap between production and usage has become a central question for Mike McCarthy’s offense.
Locked On Steelers co-host Nick Farabaugh argued that the personnel points toward a more physical identity than the spread-heavy shotgun approach McCarthy and quarterback Aaron Rodgers have historically preferred. Farabaugh called the roster a “bully ball” group built to use its size on the offensive line, establish the run and create play-action opportunities.
Farabaugh said the Steelers rank fourth in success rate from 12 personnel while placing 29th in first-down play-action usage. That combination supports putting tight ends Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington on the field together more often, rather than consistently prioritizing a third wide receiver. Under-center formations would also give the offense a broader run menu and force defenses to account for play-action.
Rodgers would benefit from fewer snaps that demand he create from shotgun, Farabaugh said. A more varied under-center package could create simpler throws for Rodgers and clearer opportunities for wide receiver DK Metcalf while also putting running back Jaylen Warren behind the roster’s strongest personnel group.
Carter said the offense has stayed ahead of the sticks effectively on early downs but has still produced the NFL’s fourth-most three-and-outs, according to the discussion. He and Farabaugh linked many of those empty possessions to shotgun-heavy starts and argued the coming self-scout should test whether McCarthy will make multiple-tight-end sets from under center the Steelers’ offensive foundation rather than a situational changeup.
Pittsburgh’s next adjustment will show whether its coaching staff views under-center efficiency as an identity or simply an effective option it has not used often enough. The case is straightforward: Freiermuth and Washington give the offense its best chance to pair a physical run game with the play-action looks that can reduce the burden on Rodgers.
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