In one of his final interviews before his . As a rookie, on a terrible offense, he finished as a top 24 running back in 93% of his games last year. Bettis will be inducted into the Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2015 in August, and the accomplishments to be praised that day are only part of why he was the man during his 10 seasons with the Steelers. Over the past 50 years, the Steelers have tallied 36 winning seasons . Fuqua led the . Both men had the unfortunate circumstance of being behind other great players on the roster, Franco Harris and Terry Bradshaw. Emailed daily. Quite a contrast to kick off this list. First running back gets drafted in the seventh round. However, from 2010-14 he was the best all-purpose back in the league. Najee Harris warming to Steelers' running back-by-committee approach. Matte took over for another fantastic white running back, former Heisman Trophy winner and 1958 NFL Championship Game hero Alan Ameche. The following is the Pittsburgh Steelers all-time roster, browsable by last name or position. If Lions general manager Brad Holmes follows that plan exactly, Minnesota Golden Gophers' Mohamed Ibrahim would be a great late-round running back prospect for Detroit to target. Rashard Mendenhall only played five seasons with the Steelers but rushed for a respectable 3,549 yards in 57 games. Overall contributions to the Steelers franchise. That lands him in the top five during the decade. Rocky Bleier: For some Steelers fans it might be hard to believe that Robert Patrick Bleier, known best in Steelers Nation as Rocky turned 69 years of age this year. 2022 AFC North Standings. 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. The days of Jim Brown or John Riggins getting 40 carries a game are gone. Harris played 980 offensive snaps during the regular season . To prepare, we at Chargers Wire are previewing players from every position. The Pittsburgh Steelers have had some great tight ends throughout the franchise's history. Teams like the 49ers, Packers, and Chargers still have plenty of use for thembut many organizations dont carry a fullback on their roster at all. Keep in mind that accomplishments made only during this decade were considered for these rankings. He was also an excellent receiver, both out of the backfield and split out as a wide receiver. This was the age of the feature back, when one superstar halfback got most of the carries. 1 1. It was a hard task to actually rank all of the great running backs . Eight players have been recognized as having held the career rushing yards record in the NFL. Franco Harris gets most of the credit for that infamous incident, but Terry Bradshaws passing attempt on that play was originally intended for Fuqua who was decleated by Jack Tatum. The Steelers will win 5 games this year, Canada will be fired, and Tomlin will "resign." . Pittsburgh Steelers Career Rushing Leaders. But he still turned in two more 1,000-yard seasons and recorded at least 800 yards from scrimmage in four seasons this decade. Willie Parker: Fast Willie Parker actually lands in third place all-time among Pittsburgh rushers. Dudley also scored on a lateraled pass and has kicked point-after-touchdowns as well as making successful field goals. DeAngelo Williams Photo by Ronald C. Modra/Getty Images. (Fullback Roosevelt Nix spent most of 2019 injured and did not appear to have a viable replacement.) The official source for NFL news, video highlights, fantasy football, game-day coverage, schedules, stats, scores and more. RASHARD MENDENHALL came to the Steelers as a first-round pick in 2008, and after spending the bulk of his rookie season on the injured reserve list, he rushed for 3,309 yards on 812 carries (4.1 average) and 29 touchdowns from 2009-11. The Tigers picked up their sixth commitment for the 2024 recruiting cycle - and their first running back - Wednesday with the public . How an 8-year-old inspired Najee Harris' 5-TD performance vs. Ole Miss. Let's take a look back at the rest of the Steelers picks since the 2000 season. At 244 pounds, Morris was a load running behind the offensive line and his numbers backed up his train rushing efforts. He never made a Pro Bowl and never had a 1,000-yard season, but he appeared in 111 games over nine seasons and managed to rack up 3,989 career rushing yards. Not entirely. 1. Last season he rushed for only 885 yards, but that came in 12 games. The 33rd Team. Pittsburgh has fielded plenty of those defensive units over the years, and there are more than a few Steelers defenders in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Jerome Bettis is the latest Steelers running back to become a member in Canton, Ohio. Anderson was traded mid-season in 1986; he played four games for the Cardinals and eight for the Giants. But during the Super Bowl seasons of 1978 and 1979, Sidney Thornton played a significant role in the Steelers' rushing attack. The running back said that he was only trying to stimulate conversation about the topic but because of it he lost an endorsement deal with Champion Sports. He was cut twice but kept up his persistence. NICK CHUBB, CLEVELAND BROWNS. Jerome "The Bus" Bettis tops our list as the Steelers best running back of all time. TODAY: Running backs Since the merger in 1970, the Pittsburgh Steelers have rushed for more yards than any other team in the National Football League, and this commitment got two of their running backs elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In the following AFC title game against Miami, Pollard was held to just 48 yards rushing. Starters per season [ edit] These quarterbacks have started at least one game for the Pittsburgh Steelers . He sill holds the single season record for rushing for Pittsburgh with 1,690 yards gained in 1992. Sidney Thornton: Another stout running back for Pittsburgh was the bullish Thornton who weighed in at 230 pounds during his play days in Pittsburgh from 1977 to 1982. 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. [5] Through 2021, eight Steeler first-round picks have gone on to have playing careers deemed worthy of enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame: Bill Dudley, Len Dawson, Joe Greene, Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris, Lynn Swann, Rod Woodson, Troy Polamalu, and Alan . Seasons: 90 (1933 to 2022) Record (W-L-T): 666-585-23 Playoff Record: 36-27 Super Bowls Won: 6 (8 Appearances) Championships Won *: 6 . The Pittsburgh Steelers have had some great tight ends throughout the franchises history. He is currently the third leading rusher in Steelers history. He made four Pro Bowls and one All-Pro team as a Steeler and inspired a Pittsburgh Super Bowl victory in Super Bowl XLone of the greatest wins in Steelers history. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. For the Steelers he would rush for 2,243 yards five seasons. Let us know your thoughts down in the comments!For Business Inquiries: insid. I want to travel the world and write. If that wasnt strange enough, Mendenhall got himself into hot water in 2011 as a Steeler when he tweeted a controversial reaction to the United States elimination of Osama bin Laden. That meant Bell joined Marshall Faulk as the only players in NFL history with 1,350-plus yards rushing and 850-plus yards receiving in the same season. It is tough to guess what the future holds for Connor in the NFL. But Jackson was still one of the best runners of the 2010s. More like he will get exposed yet again as being the most overrated running back in the league . Of course we are talking about the Immaculate Reception. Meanwhile, Myles Jack's cap hit grows significantly from $4.75 million last year to $11.25 million in 2023. He amassed an incredible 449 touches in 2014 on his way to 1,845 rushing yards and 2,261 yards from scrimmage. In 2012, he made the All-Pro team with 1,590 rushing yards and 1,786 yards from scrimmage. Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports. Fuqua would have to be the most colorful player in Steelers history as well as the most controversial. Ingram's best season came in 2017 when he posted 1,124 yards and 12 touchdowns. He earned the Super Bowl MVP award after running for 158 yards and a touchdown against the Vikings in Super Bowl IX. He seemed to violate every rule young players are taught about playing running back, yet he thrived. Advertisement In some form or fashion, the Steelers will need to add quality depth to . Both backs had to run well with the ball and have the skills to block for the other. LeVeon Bell got off to a late start in his rookie season due to injuries but then proved he was worthy of his second round draft selection. The controversy surrounds what is called by many as the Greatest play in NFL history. Pittsburgh Steelers player information and depth chart order. In Super Bowl XXX when the Steelers lost to the Dallas Cowboys that many thought that Pittsburgh could have won if not for Neil ODonnells errant interceptions, Morris rushed for 73 yards on 19 carries and scored a touchdown. Harris disputed that and said he was 240 pounds as a rookie. Gordon averaged a career-best 5.1 yards per carry in 2018. Fullback Franco Harris came to the Steelers in the 1972 draft and made an immediate impact. Do you have a blog? 20 and retired with that number despite the departure of Pearson to Dallas. I could be wrong. This list of past Steelers tight ends features former greats, current impact players, and even future stars. For the purposes of this article, I will be considering the following: Its tricky to piece it all together, but I think these are the best Steelers running backs of all time. During the decade, he has posted 9,187 yards five 1,000-yard seasons and 56 touchdowns. 12. Mendenhall spent five seasons in Pittsburgh and was a member of two Super Bowl teams. 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. All-time Passing Leader: Ben Roethlisberger 5,440/8,443, 64,088 yds, 418 TD, All-time Rushing Leader: Franco Harris 2,881 att, 11,950 yds, 91 TD, All-time Receiving Leader: Hines Ward 1,000 rec, 12,083 yds, 85 TD, All-time Scoring Leader: Gary Anderson 1,343 points, All-time AV Leader: Ben Roethlisberger 208 AV, Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Friday, March 3, 2:32PM. In 1979, he started 10 games in place of Bleier and ran for 585 yards and six touchdowns. In 1984 while beating the Denver Broncos in the playoffs, Pollard ran for 99 yards and two scores, a game won by Pittsburgh 24-17. In later years Bleier helped pen a book about himself and a movie was made about his story titled Fighting Back.. Copyright 2023 YB Media, LLC. Barry Foster first came to the attention of Steeler Nation in 1990 when he treated a kickoff as a punt, stood aside, and watched the ball bounce along the ground until the opposing team recovered it. His 4.3 yards-per-carry average for his career is second only to John Henry Johnsons 4.4 and ties him with Wille Parker among Pittsburghs top ten rushers in history for yardage. Still, Bleier became a starter in the backfield with Harris and shined. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? After five seasons of never finishing higher than RB34, Williams had a career year in 2022, finishing as the overall RB18. but every NFL team has talented players. It was thought by the Steelers coaching staff and fans alike that Pittsburgh had found their new star running back. Bill Dudley: Bullet Bill was his nickname and a great running back he was. From 2010-13, Johnson rushed for 4,731 yards and 27 touchdowns. John Fuqua: How could any Steelers fan in the Nation of Black and Gold not smile when speaking of John Frenchy Fuqua. Many argued that when Gore suffered a season-ending injury at the beginning of December in 2010, his best days were behind him. Le'veon Bell also earned a reputation as one of the most patient RBs in the NFL. Please see our Contributors and Sources page for data source details. NFL Top 10 Best Running Backs of the 2010s - #8 Arian Foster. Year Top Defense. Photos from the career of former Steelers running back and Hall of Fame finalist Jerome Bettis. 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. Trump can be sued by cops United States 11:10 am - 10,090 views; Train crash toll now 57 Greece 9:38 am - 3,746 views; Snow, rain end drought California 9:32 am - 1,290 views; More World News In 2015 Williams rejuvenated his career with the Steelers, filling in for the suspended and injured Le'Veon Bell for 10 games. Unfortunately for Johnson, his 2,000-yard season came in 2009, so it just missed the cut for counting on this list. Running backs are not the commodities they once were. In 2005, speedy Willie Parker took advantage of paths cleared by Kreider, and the Steelers won the Super Bowl. LISTEN: Hounds, world soccer, PGA with Mike Grau, Steelers: Need for QB of the Future is More Apparent than Ever, Steelers: Defense Needs to Take Advantage of Inconsistent Bills Passing Attack, Steelers: Devlin Hodges Has Chance to Make Lasting Impression in Week 14, Steelers: James Washingtons Emergence Could Make Offense Dangerous. Today he is 68 and still colorful. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. He's been named All-Pro and led the NFL in rushing touchdowns during each of the last two years too. 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. (Note: The Steelers signed Derek Watt during the 2020 offseason and released Nix, who signed with Indianapolis. The first requirement is an intimidating defense that dominates opponents and makes it tough for them to put points on the board. He's rushed for only 2,599 yards this decade, but everyone knows he's far more than just a running back. He came to the Steelers after three seasons with the Rams which had earned him a reputation as a problem player. But following the Super Bowl Morris was arrested for trafficking marijuana and the Steelers wanted nothing to do with his off-the-field problems and released him. 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It wasn't too long ago that Freeman was regarded as a top-five back in the league. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. A bullet pierced his left thigh in Vietnam and further injuries occurred when a grenade exploded near him putting shrapnel in his lower right leg. The top photos of RB Le'Veon Bell throughout 2014 season. 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. Chances are it is an announcer who remembers some of the great backs in Steelers history and how they dominated the game. Bleier only ranks ninth in all-time rushing yards for the franchise, and he never made the Pro Bowl, but there is no denying the impact this gutsy running back had in winning four Steelers' Super Bowl championships. Which of these tight ends has left a lasting legacy in the city of Pittsburgh? 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. He ranks 23rd all-time among Pittsburgh rushers having gained 1,504 yards as a Steeler. But he stayed. The fullback might get the ball once or twice a game in short-yardage situations, but for the most part, he was turned into a blocking specialist. As the tight end position increasingly becomes more of a focal point in offensive schemes , one. Rashard Mendenhall: Like Barry Foster before him, Rashard Mendenhall was done with professional football by the age of 26. Today we ranked the Pittsburgh Steeler Running Backs throughout their franchise!