The philosophy of Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has generally been to give his featured running back the vast majority of the carries, but given James Conner's injury history, will he roll with that strategy again in 2020?
Conner, for one, isn't worried about it, saying he just needs to do his job regardless of how many touches he gets:
“It’s our job to be at our best no matter how many carries,’’ Conner said Tuesday, according to Ed Bouchette of The Athletic. “We got to start fast, we have to hit first as a back. That’s what I’m going to take pride in this year, just to start fast, whether I’m the guy, however this year works. I said the goal is to win. We need to be ready at all times. Can’t warm up to it. That’s our slogan, that’s what we’ve been saying: ‘Can’t warm up to it.’
Conner, who played his collegiate football at the University of Pittsburgh, was originally selected by the Steelers in the third round (105th pick overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft.
Due to the presence of Le'Veon Bell, Conner received only scarce playing time during his rookie campaign, carrying the ball 32 times for 144 yards. But the following season, Bell sat out due to a contract dispute, thrusting Conner into the starting role. He responded by racking up 973 yards and 12 touchdowns while hauling in 55 receptions for 497 yards and a score.
However, Conner is yet to play a full season, and the 25-year-old only played 10 games in 2019.
So perhaps the best course of action will be to spread the ball around, and Conner seems like he will be fine with that:
“I’m not really paying attention to how many carries I need. I don’t really believe in that,” he said. “We need to establish our run game first and foremost,” Conner said. “That’s what our group is going to take pride in this year, is to get that run game going. But we’re essential in the passing game.”
Pittsburgh went 8-8 this past season.
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