He also posted at least 1,500 yards from scrimmage during 2013 and 2014 when the Seahawks went to two Super Bowls. 2. Included are players that played for the Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL) from 1945-2022, the Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL) from 1940-1942 and the Pittsburgh Pirates (NFL) from 1933-1939. 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. The move closes the latest chapter of Wentz's career after just one season in Washington. His rookie contract was voided after his fourth season, after just one in Pittsburgh, and there were opportunities to leave. His teammate Terry Hanratty, the QB at Notre Dame during that tenure became a Steeler as well. In 1982, he was Pittsburghs first overall pick in the draft coming in at number 12. For years, the Pittsburgh Steelers were considered a team that dominated with the run. Overall, he ran for 4,731 yards and 28 touchdowns playing for the Rams, Falcons and Patriots from 2010-15. does st martin parish have school tomorrow. He was also an excellent receiver, both out of the backfield and split out as a wide receiver. Steeler running backs Franco Harris, Rocky Bleier, Jerome Bettis, Willie Parker, Sidney Thornton and Rashard Mendenhall all helped bring Lombardi Trophies to Pittsburgh. 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. Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports. But there were bright spots, and Walter Abercrombie was one of them. Not entirely. Fuqua led the . He's been named All-Pro and led the NFL in rushing touchdowns during each of the last two years too. Fran Rogel: For Steelers fans who watched the team in the 1950s they would be familiar with a famous nursery rhyme with a Pittsburgh Steelers twist. Bell made three Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams as a Steeler. 6:02; See All. name the pittsburgh steelers running back to the last 10 years. Perhaps one of the most popular and beloved Steelers players of all-time, Bleier became famous before he ever established himself as Franco Harriss partner in crime based on his experiences in the Vietnam War. Charles may have to wait awhile to get into the Hall of Fame because despite an 11-year career, his prime was rather short. | NICK CHUBB, CLEVELAND BROWNS. The running back ran for 1,200 yards and seven touchdowns on 307 carries, and caught 74 passes for 467 yards and three touchdowns. Lists that rank the greatest players and coaches in the history of the NFL franchise. He stepped in for a banged-up Willie Parker in 2009 and ran for 1,108 yards and seven 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. It's a smaller sample size, but Elliott has also posted 131.2 yards from scrimmage per game in his three seasons. Pollard played most of his career at a time when the Steelers struggled. Who Is The Best Running Back In The NFL Right Now? OTHERS TO CONSIDER Starting this list chronologically is as good a way as any. His best season was in 1985 when he rushed for 991 yards. Other teams (like the Steelers) have one but rarely use him. Player ratings with position rankings. Advertisement In some form or fashion, the Steelers will need to add quality depth to . In '94, he ran for 851 yards despite missing five games. 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. Gordon averaged a career-best 5.1 yards per carry in 2018. In 1999 the Chiefs cut him and his life spiraled out of control with drug problems and jail time. Bell rushed for 1,361 yards in 2014, but what turned that into first-team All-Pro recognition were his 83 catches for 854 yards. LeVeon Bell made his mark with the Steelers running in this kind of offense. The 30-year-old has failed to rush for 500 yards in four of his seven seasons in the NFL. Merril Hoge: Lasting until the 10th round in the 1987 NFL draft, Merril Hoge was a tough as nails runner for the Steelers who suffered a rash of concussion injuries that would cost him his career. He also was a punt returner, bringing back 20 punts with a 14.0 average per return. But since then injuries have slowed him, and he's averaging 3.6 yards per attempt. 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. 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. Let's take a look back at the rest of the Steelers picks since the 2000 season. Or write about sports? The last Steelers running back taken in the first round before Najee Harris, Mendenhall won a Super Bowl as a rookie despite spending most of the season on injured reserve. At 244 pounds, Morris was a load running behind the offensive line and his numbers backed up his train rushing efforts. Parker was perhaps the fastest running back ever to play for the Steelers. The stud running back finished with 3,943 yards which lands him seventh on Pittsburghs all-time list. But he still turned in two more 1,000-yard seasons and recorded at least 800 yards from scrimmage in four seasons this decade. Frequently Asked Questions about the NFL and Football, Pro-Football-Reference.com Blog and Articles, Subscribe to Stathead Football: Get your first month FREE. They got a lot of carries in an era when both the fullback and halfback needed to contribute to the running game. Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. NAME GP RUSH YDS ATT YPC RUSH YDS/G RUSH TD REC YDS REC TRG AVG REC YDS/G REC TD; Felix Jones: 16: 184: 48: 3.8: 11.5: 0: 63: 9: 13: 7.0: 3.9: 0: Isaac Redman: 3: 12: 10: 1.2 . The All-Modern Era team is made up of 26 players - 11 on offense, 11 on defense, and four specialists. Another big bruising back that also has surprising quickness, Bell at 244 pounds is turning into a super star in the NFL. Of course, we all know why. 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. One return went to the house. 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. The quick-footed big guy ran over, through and around defenders for nine years with the Steelers. Morris peaked as a rookie, rushing for 1,613 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2012. Fuqua to this day refuses to give his take on what actually took place. By 1995, Foster was out of Pittsburgh and out of the NFL, thus ending his short, dramatic, and bizarre pro football career. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Franco Harris is the Pittsburgh Steelers career leader in rushing yards with 11,950. 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. Overall, Charles recorded 8,110 yards from scrimmage during the decade with the Chiefs, Broncos and Jaguars from 2010-18. But from 2010-17, Forte averaged 1,419 yards from scrimmage per season. Conner responded with a Pro Bowl performance and gave Steeler Nation hope that hed become the next great Pittsburgh running back. Only stats for Regular Season Games have been included. With teams shifting more to the passing game, these old-school running backs are becoming obsolete. Still, I think he is deserving of the number 16 spot on this list of all-time great Steelers backs. 4M; . Jerome Bettis was a 250-pound battering ram with incredible quickness for a man his size. Fuqua would have to be the most colorful player in Steelers history as well as the most controversial. Each offense makes its own set of demands on running backs, and every back mentioned in this article needed a specific set of attributes to succeed. Bill Dudley: Bullet Bill was his nickname and a great running back he was. Vote below for who you think is the best Pittsburgh Steelers tight end of all time, then head over and check out the top Pittsburgh Steelers players ever. While those numbers may not seem impressive by todays standards, they were good enough to earn Tracy Pro Bowl appearances with the Steelers in 1958 and 1960. Tracy ran for 2,717 yards and 15 touchdowns in his time with Pittsburgh and caught 96 passes for 1,322 yards and 14 touchdowns. More like he will get exposed yet again as being the most overrated running back in the league . Join our linker program. In his first three seasons, Ingram ran for more than 600 yards in a season just once. Last year's offensive rookie of the year award winner, Barkley was close to perfect for fantasy owners. He's averaged 101.2 rushing yards per game during his career and led the NFL in that category each of the last three years. Do you have a sports website? Who should be on top of the Steelers NFL Free Agency board? 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. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? but every NFL team has talented players. He had the highest usage rate among running backs at 35.8% and was third in red-zone touches with 61. Gurley has rushed for 4,547 rushing yards and recorded 6,430 yards from scrimmage with 56 touchdowns. Before Franco Harris, there was John Frenchy Fuqua. Matte took over for another fantastic white running back, former Heisman Trophy winner and 1958 NFL Championship Game hero Alan Ameche. From '61 to '64, he was part of a powerful rushing attack along with Hall of Famer John Henry Johnson. In his rookie season, Morris rushed for 836 yards and a 4.2 yards-per-carry average. For his service in the war, Bleier received the Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. 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. Frank Pollard: In the mid-1980s, a stout Frank Pollard became the Steelers primary running back. 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. Unfortunately, injuries have slowed him over the last couple of years and prevented him from running for more than 865 yards in a season. 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. 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. During his career, he's averaged 128.9 yards from scrimmage per game. By the time the fourth quarter rolls around, it is easy to see why opposing defenses would wish they were somewhere else. Still, Bleier became a starter in the backfield with Harris and shined. 8. When running the ball, they often do so out of one-back sets and shotgun and pistol formations. The Pittsburgh Steelers are loaded with high-end fantasy talent, and Mike Tomlin's team has been producing every week.The Steelers have scored 30 or more points in six straight games, and they are in a position to earn a spot in the AFC playoffs if they can win their final two games of the season.It's all lining up to be a happy holiday season in Pittsburgh because they close the year with . Parker ran for 1,200 yards or better in three straight seasons and led the Steelers to two Super Bowl wins. In Pittsburgh, he was everything but. With the 2019 season, there is still time to influence who lands where among a list of the best running backs of the decade. If he had played in those games, Bell is easily in the top five on this list and maybe close to the top. Still, "CJ2K" comes in at No. In 2005, speedy Willie Parker took advantage of paths cleared by Kreider, and the Steelers won the Super Bowl. Damien Harris (New England Patriots) The 2021 season will only be Damien Harris' second full season with the Patriots as a running back, but he's shown his level of skill. 9-Rocky Bleier. Meanwhile, Myles Jack's cap hit grows significantly from $4.75 million last year to $11.25 million in 2023. Fullback Franco Harris came to the Steelers in the 1972 draft and made an immediate impact. His performance in the 1989 playoffs, when he turned in back-to-back 100-yard games against Houston and Denver, is the stuff of Steelers' legend. In both seasons, he made All-Pro. Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers. By, Tom Rothenberg/Zuma Press/Icon Sportswire, This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. Today, Abercrombie spends his days atsthe Executive Director for his alma mater leading the Baylor B Association which is an organization of previous letter winners for the university. But it was his story of injury during the war that gave him notoriety at the start of his career. 7. All Rights Reserved. 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. That one instance came in 1956 when Art Rooney Sr. uncharacteristically was frustrated with a head coach and instructed the then Head Coach Walt Kiesling to negate the opening Rogel rush and throw the ball instead. The trend in the modern NFL is to run the ball out of single-back sets, often from a shotgun or pistol formation. Instagram Twitter Facebook Snapchat Shop Icon Profile Overlay Avatar Add Airplay Arrow Left Arrow Right Arrow Up Arrow Down Audio Back 5s Back 10s Back 30s Calendar Chart Check Down Left . Tackles. He would play six seasons in Three Rivers Stadium when the Steelers were home and finish with 3,343 yards rushing. . Hunt offers some stability in the pass-game as he had 44 . 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. He was an example of how great players can not only break the rules and succeed, but sometimes even make up their own rules. Quite a contrast to kick off this list. 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. February 27, 2023 3 min Watch. 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. 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. Parker never regained his starting job and was released only to make on attempt at staying in the NFL with the Washington Redskins in 2010 where he spent his time on the practice squad before retiring. In just a three-year period, from 2010-12, he posted 5,702 yards from scrimmage and 47 touchdowns. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. 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 . Just look back to last year when he was able to make cuts and find holes. The Steelers went 6-10 in his first season, but along with players like Hines Ward, Jerome Bettis, and Alan Faneca . 9, we . He'll get the chance to continue his career with the Browns, but he'll miss the first eight games of 2019 because of a suspension. Ibrahim, who . TEAM SEASON GP REC W% W L T TD PTS PPG OPP PTS OPP PPG 1DWN 3DWN% 4DWN% Pittsburgh Steelers: 2013: 16: 8-8.500: 8: 8: 0: 41: 379 . 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. The All-Modern Era team is made up of 26 players 11 on offense, 11 on defense, and four specialists. Including last season when Bell sat out because of a contract dispute, the two-time All-Pro has missed 34 games in his six-year career. Today he is 68 and still colorful. Took pay cuts, and continued to stay. He ended his career with only 1,512 rushing yards, but with two Super Bowl rings. In three of his four NFL seasons, Gurley has rushed for more than 1,100 yards and at least 10 touchdowns. In a move many in the NFL community felt was inevitable, the Washington Commanders released quarterback Carson Wentz on Monday in a move that will save the team $26.12 million against their 2023 salary cap. During the decade, he has 8,834 rushing yards five 1,000-yard seasons and 71 touchdowns. Twenty-three slots went by before the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Najee Harris in 2021. Peterson then signed with the . But during the Super Bowl seasons of 1978 and 1979, Sidney Thornton played a significant role in the Steelers' rushing attack. Drafted by the Steelers in 1942 and in his rookie season led the NFL in rushing with 696 yards. Willie Parker: Fast Willie Parker actually lands in third place all-time among Pittsburgh rushers. 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. If I were to ask you to name the sixth-leading rusher in Steelers history, I bet youd say a lot of names before you got to Frank Pollard. The running back fell just short of 1,000 yards from scrimmage last season after finishing with 1,414 yards in his rookie campaign. No NFL team has enjoyed the consistent level of success the Pittsburgh Steelers have enjoyed since the AFL-NFL merger of 1970. 4. Harris played 980 offensive snaps during the regular season . 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. Here's the final tally of Steelers Now's consensus preseason 2022 power rankings of AFC North running backs. Pittsburgh Steelers Career Rushing Leaders. It's an inspiring story, but if Bleier wasn't one of the best running backs in Steelers' history, he wouldn't have made this list. He was intensive care for 48 hours and this forced his retirement. Sep 20, 1992; San Diego, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Barry Foster (29) in action against San Diego Chargers defenders Junior Seau (55) and George Thornton (93) at Jack . Overall contributions to the Steelers franchise. Lucrative opportunities to leave. Former season 27 " Dancing With the Stars " competitor John Schneider has returned to social media following the death of his wife, Alicia Allain. Thornton was also a member of the Super Bowl winning teams for Pittsburgh in 1979 and 1980. The controversy arose when the ball deflected off of Tatum or Frenchy. The top photos of RB Le'Veon Bell throughout 2014 season. Overall, Foster registered 6,270 rushing yards and 8,523 yards from scrimmage playing for the Texans and Dolphins from 2010-16. 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. Murray rushed for 7,174 yards and 49 touchdowns with the Cowboys, Eagles and Titans in the 2010s. He'll continue to split time with Nick Chubb in the backfield, but the Browns are a run-first team that will use the talents of both. Keep in mind that accomplishments made only during this decade were considered for these rankings. Today, with the explosion of the passing game, a star running back is a helpful asset but no longer a requirement. This is a list of National Football League running backs by total career rushing yards, and includes the 31 running backs who have rushed for at least 10,000 yards, for which sixteen of them have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Dickerson was traded mid-season in 1987; he played three games for the Rams and nine for the Colts. Williams recorded at least 730 rushing yards in a season four times . As the tight end position increasingly becomes more of a focal point in offensive schemes , one can only imagine what this list will look like in years down the road. To no ones surprise, Art Rooney Sr. mailed a post card to his running back while in recovery that said, Rock We need you. That was the kind of man The Chief was. By 1974, Bleier was weighing in at 212 pounds and he made the team to stay. (Note: The Steelers signed Derek Watt during the 2020 offseason and released Nix, who signed with Indianapolis. Drafted by the Steelers in the first round with the 23rd pick in 2008, Mendenhall replaced Willie Parker and had successive years of 1,000 or more yards rushing in 2009 and 2010 with a high of 1,273 in 10. It's Le'Veon Bell because there is thought given to picking players who could function as a unit if the position require that. Maybe I am just nostalgic for the days when Steelers backs carried the ball 30 times and took total control over a game by the fourth quarter. 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. PITTSBURGH (AP) Mike Tomlin wasn't ready to go there, with all due respect. Players active with the Pittsburgh . That lands him in the top five during the decade. Charles also ran for 1,509 yards in 2012 and 1,033 yards in 2014. The intent is to lean the offensive game plan toward the passing game and open up the defense with complex formations and plays. Anderson was traded mid-season in 1986; he played four games for the Cardinals and eight for the Giants. Harris is my fourth-ranked running back for the 2022 season. But he's rushed for more than 1,000 yards in a season twice, and he led the league with 18 rushing touchdowns in 2016. The mid-'80s were a tough time for Steeler Nation. In 2016 he had one of the best seasons for a running back in recent memory, accumulating a league-high 2,118 yards from scrimmage, including at least 100 yards in the first 15 games of the year. 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. Photos from the career of former Steelers running back and Hall of Fame finalist Jerome Bettis. Everything in the NFL goes in cycles. The following is another in a series that picks a Steelers All-Modern Era Team. Bell was a unique back in Steelers history due to both the wide-open offense he played in and his careful, patient running style. 20 and retired with that number despite the departure of Pearson to Dallas. From 2010-13, Johnson rushed for 4,731 yards and 27 touchdowns. He made another Pro Bowl in 1993 but only rushed for half as many yards due to injuries. Picking Le'Veon Bell here might be one of those choices that spurs debate among fans, but it comes down to the belief he's going to become the Steelers' version of Marshall Faulk. During the decade, he has posted 9,187 yards five 1,000-yard seasons and 56 touchdowns. James Conner finished his career in Pittsburgh as the #17 ranked rusher in Steelers history. Outside linebacker Joey Porter came to Pittsburgh in 1999. MORE: 2023 Dynasty Rookie Rankings. The only exception in madden 22 was a glitched out ray Lewis that was 97 at mlb but 99 at r/lolb. In 2015 he finished second in the league in rushing and earned a spot on the All-Pro Team. If youve followed the Steelers, you've probably heard the term "Steelers Football." Today, Johnson is one of the former Steelers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. A good scoring drive based on running plays eats up the clock and keeps the ball out of the hands of the other team's offense. He is more famously known for his post-retirement with ESPN as an analyst which he has excelled at and has become one of that networks finest announcers. He would end up moving to the Dallas Cowboys where he would get a chance to face off against his former team in two more Super Bowls (X and XIII). The former Titan had only 28 catches for 294 yards last year . Pittsburgh Steelers player information and depth chart order. The Steelers had a reputation of big bruising backs but Parker spelled that philosophy with speed and elusiveness. 22. 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. Looking at an NFL game today, something seems to be missing. In 2015 Williams rejuvenated his career with the Steelers, filling in for the suspended and injured Le'Veon Bell for 10 games.