Steelers' Anthony McFarland wants to make plays, stay healthy

By his nature, Anthony McFarland tends to display a humble, quiet and understated disposition when speaking with media.

So it was noticeable when late during a five-minute interview after a walkthrough this past week, the Pittsburgh Steelers running back cracked a smile while his eyebrows raised.

It came when he was asked a particular question. Is that speed and big-play ability — the traits that got you to the NFL — still there?

“I feel like it’s always been there,” McFarland said. “It’s just a matter of you have to show it.”

McFarland has been showing that “splash play” ability with regularity through the first week and a half of training camp at Saint Vincent. A 2020 fourth-round pick, McFarland has been breaking long runs and taking short passes well down the field during 11-on-11 play, seven-on-seven drills and one-on-one opportunities matched up against defenders.

“He’s very fast and quick,” fellow running back Jaylen Warren said. “If there is a linebacker in the game, throw him in there and let him run down the field. Throw it up, touchdown.”

McFarland showed those type of abilities in college at Maryland enough the Steelers targeted him as a potential change-of-pace or third-down back capable of popping a big play or two.

So far through McFarland’s first three seasons, that has not materialized. As a rookie, McFarland never gained any traction nor broke any big plays. His second season was on a promising track but was derailed by injury during the preseason.

Last summer, he was outplayed by Warren (an undrafted rookie) during training camp and did not make the 53-man roster when the season began. McFarland spent all of 2022 on the practice squad — albeit performing well during the one game he got “called up” for (in November at the Indianapolis Colts).

“I learned a lot last year,” McFarland said. “But each year I’ve learned a lot, from my rookie year to my second year and then when I was on p-squad.

“Being able to watch the games, actually, that was a big benefit. Being in the league, you’re not going to rely just on your talent and your abilities. It’s the little details, because everybody’s good at this level. It’s the little details, and you learn from them.”

For McFarland, those details are probably most exemplified by pass protection. If he’s going to carve out a role in passing situations, the blocking part of his game will be crucial. Recognizing that, McFarland has honed those skills. It showed during ’backs on backers drills this week.

But where McFarland really shines is running routes against linebackers. McFarland seems to have his way with whatever Steelers inside linebacker he faces.

“He looks like a guy who has been in this environment, and he has,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “(It’s) the consistency. Often we talk about ‘splash’ (plays) — and splash gets a lot of attention — but one of the points we’re trying to drive home is professionals make routine plays routinely. I think that has been the thing that has gotten our attention with him. The routine play, the option route, the ball in the flat, the flare, he is doing routine things very well. And that is important.”

McFarland’s path to a spot on the active roster likely involves him showing worth in a role as a complement to Najee Harris and Warren. It also would help to find a niche on special teams, be it as a kickoff returner or in a less high-profile role.

Being limited to a mere 14 games and 42 carries over his first three NFL seasons compels McFarland to appreciate whatever role is offered to him.

“It’s about learning from my mistakes,” McFarland said. “Those three years, they’re a blessing because I can take those experiences and learn from them and not do them again. And take the positives and know what works. I’m just putting my head down. Just keep working, building.”

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