The Pittsburgh Steelers have injected an exciting new wrinkle into their old-school short-yardage game plan. They’ve added tight end/fullback Connor Heyward into the mix in their “tush push” package, creatively named “Spartan” to pay homage to Heyward’s alma mater, Michigan State University. This creative play is picking up steam! Oh man, did it show off in a recent game, showcasing how dangerous it can be for big chunk yardage gains.
Alongside their pivot to zone rushing, the Steelers’ embracing of the tush push play has been a pronounced shift in their offensive approach. On this particular Monday night, the team successfully pulled this dunk off four times. That was their most targeted game by far in the last four seasons. This increase is a reflection of an increasing confidence in this strategy as defenses continue to try to minimize their offensive exposure. Over those same years, from 2022 through 2024, the Steelers ran the tush push 12 times. That phenomenal run of form puts them at fifth place in the league table in points accrued during that span.
Getting Connor Heyward involved on this design is a smart move and a sign of the team’s focus on cutting edge tactics. Heyward’s experience as a former high school quarterback certainly helps. His experience on the field during his time at Michigan State has instilled a flashy skill set into his bag that shamelessly meets the play’s demands. He has been long and deeply active in preparing for this role. After practice, he’ll take snaps from teammate Zach Frazier and will even practice his cadences while riding in cars.
As simple as the tush push seems, its success depends on an elaborate collective effort among players. Connor Heyward at center quickly snaps and centers the ball to DT for the running back’s handoff. On the next play, the running back runs an end-around to the right. On one run of this play, the team produced a dazzling 55-yard rush. Together, these created a powerful performance that increased the potential of this strategy when done well.
Central to this play’s success is the physical support Heyward enjoys from his teammates. It helps that it’s instrumental in pushing him forward with 300-pound tight end Darnell Washington and 200-pound running back Kenneth Gainwell. This combination surges Heyward’s on-field presence and impact through the roof. It knits him with optimism, as he assumes this new critical role. Gainwell brings even more value due to his history with the Philadelphia Eagles. He experienced the birth of the tush push execution firsthand.
Make sure you check out how excited Heyward is about the play! He thinks head coach Mike Tomlin and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith like the look of its potential effectiveness, too. Despite some skepticism surrounding the play, most notably from Aaron Rodgers, who remarked that “the tush push play is not a play that anybody really likes,” the Steelers continue to embrace its possibilities.
The Steelers are one of eight teams across the league who’ve implemented their own version of the tush push. They do this by taking direct snaps to their TE. This strategy distinguishes them from the pack and emphasizes their desire to be different and push the envelope within their own game. Their track record of innovation continues to grow with this smart plays. That’s a sign of strong leadership—their willingness to explore new tactics that will get them to the next stage offensively.
Leave a Reply