Maligned offensive line has seemingly been least of Steelers' problems

Chris Adamski
Friday, Sept. 23, 2022 12:55 a.m. | Friday, Sept. 23, 2022 12:55 a.m.

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Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mitch Trubsky throws to Pat Freiermuth during the fourth quarter of Thursday’s game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Trubisky generally was given time to throw in the game, a testament to an improving offensive line.

CLEVELAND —It might not be a strength, but the offensive line hasn’t proven to be a weakness for the Pittsburgh Steelers so far this season, either.

“The O-line really played really well,” Steelers running back Najee Harris said after Thursday night’s 29-17 loss at the Cleveland Browns. “The past couple weeks, the O-line has played really well. We (quarterbacks, running backs and receivers) are just trying to find our rhythm and groove.”

The Steelers averaged 4.7 yards per carry Thursday, and quatrterback Mitch Trubisky was sacked just once. Generally, Trubisky has not been under siege as many feared might happen after a woeful effort in the first half of an Aug. 20 preseason game in Jacksonville.

Najee Harris compliments the Steelers O-line, says the skill position guys have to be better pic.twitter.com/6HhW9HwDP6

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) September 23, 2022

By most accounts and measures possible, the Steelers’ offensive line was among the worst in the NFL last season. The Steelers finished 29th in the league in rushing yards, and quarterbacks were sacked 39 times despite Ben Roethlisberger having the NFL’s quickest average time from snap to throw.

This season, Trubisky has been sacked five times in three games, and the rushing offense showed some life against the Browns. The Steelers averaged 5.5 yards per carry in the first half.

“We just have to sustain it,” guard James Daniels said. “We had the momentum, we were moving, the offense was rolling, and we just have to sustain it.”

Daniels (right guard) and center Mason Cole were brought in as free agents this past spring in an effort to upgrade the offensive line. Early returns aren’t entirely conclusive, but most would agree the unit has shown progress and appears to be trending in the right direction.

“We tip our hats off to the O-line; we as skill players just have to do better,” Harris said. “We have to come together as a team and rally up and put points on the board.”

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Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.