With the Super Bowl on the horizon, I had the privilege to sit down with former Pittsburgh Steelers fullback and NFL analyst Merril Hoge for an exclusive interview. Hoge fielded questions about the state of the organization and what this team needs to do better in 2025.
One of those things is running the football. In 2024, Pittsburgh ranked last in the NFL in first-down efficiency while ranking near the bottom of the league in rushing efficiency. Najee Harris was underwhelming in his fourth season, and the team was surprisingly less effective with new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith than they were the previous year under Matt Canada.
When asked about what the Steelers can do to turn the rushing attack around, Hoge pointed to the return of one specific player: Troy Fautanu.
"I think that Troy Fautanu—the first-round draft pick who hurt his knee—his presence," Hoge explained in the interview. "Watching him in the preseason in the limited time he got, he just looks like a guy who transitions to the NFL. With his feet, hips, and hands; just fundamentally, he looks so good. I think getting him back is going to help."
The Steelers selected Fautanu with the 20th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Expectations were high as Fautanu was expected to be a pro-ready Day 1 starter. Unfortunately, the rookie only played in the season-opener before a knee injury ended his 2024 campaign.
In addition to praising Fautanu as the future of the offensive line in Pittsburgh, Hoge noted that the young offensive line must become more efficient. He also explained that the Steelers have an important decision looming at running back this offseason.
"Your offensive line has got to play better consistently..." Hoge stated. "Where you go with your running backs is going to matter."
Steelers' OL outlook for 2025 offers optimism
The Pittsburgh Steelers didn't have the rushing efficiency we all hoped for in 2024. Despite finishing 6th in the NFL in rushing attempts (30.2 per game), Mike Tomlin's team ranked 12th in rushing yards (121.9 per contest). Meanwhile, the Steelers were tied for 25th in rushing yards per attempt (4.0) while finishing 24th in rush EPA per play (-0.124), per RBSDM.com.
But there's reason for hope heading into the 2025 season.
In addition to getting Troy Fautanu back, players like Broderick Jones, Zach Frazier, and Mason McCormick are growing in experience and could leap forward this season. Jones struggled mightily early in his second season, but his play improved in the back half of the year. The Steelers are likely to move him back to his natural position at left tackle in 2025.
Finding an explosive running back could also help, as Hoge pointed out. While Najee Harris fit Pittsburgh's description of a workhorse back, he lacked the speed and burst to be a game-changing player. The 2025 NFL Draft is loaded with talent at the running back position this year, and the offense could get a spark with a young, fresh set of legs.
Later in the interview, Hoge shared his thoughts on whether the Pittsburgh Steelers should move on from Mike Tomlin, explained how to fix the quarterback problem, and gave his predictions for the Eagles vs. Chiefs matchup in Super Bowl LIX.
You can check out the full interview below or on our Still Curtain YouTube channel. Be sure to like and subscribe for more video content, including weekly podcasts, shorts, and more exclusive interviews!
