The Pittsburgh Steelers offense has been a running joke for much of the 2025 NFL season. The additions of quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver DK Metcalf were supposed to be what would turn this unit around but aside from a few flashes, this group continues to struggle.
Nowhere is that more evident than in one particular statistic. Head coach Mike Tomlin preaches ad nauseam about possession downs, extending drives, and converting third downs. So to realize that the Steelers are third-worst in the league in throwing behind the sticks on third down is something of a surprise. According to the chart below, the Steelers threw behind the sticks 51.6 percent of the time. The only teams that do it more are the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills.
Many of these throws behind the sticks have gone to running back and team MVP, Kenneth Gainwell. Gainwell has become Rodgers’ favorite safety valve and of his team-high 65 receptions, 19 have gone for a first down.
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This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers near the top in one of the worst stats on offense