How a simple third-down shift fixed the Steelers' offense

The Pittsburgh Steelers addressed their third-down offensive struggles by implementing a strategic shift under Mike McCarthy, focusing on running the ball on intermediate third downs. This tactical adjustment transformed what had been the team's biggest offensive weakness into a strength during the 2026 NFL season. The change was reported on October 26, 2026, with the Steelers having suffered from third-down futility for much of the season prior to the fix.