Wide receivers can run 35 routes in a game and only see three or four targets. But that doesn’t mean they stop making an impact. Downfield blocking—often overlooked—is a separator between good and great offenses.
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ scrappy WR room has a motto this year that encapsulates that idea.
“Calvin Austin III told me that the receivers are keeping each other accountable for blocking downfield,” Jeremy Fowler wrote on ESPN. “No loafing allowed.”
George Pickens and Diontae Johnson set a low standard for downfield blocking over the last couple seasons, but both are no longer on the roster. Now they have guys like DK Metcalf, Ben Skowronek and Robert Woods, who are known for giving full effort, even when they’re not getting the ball.
Even the smaller guys like Austin and Roman Wilson have bought into the idea.
“You’ll see this year when we are out there,” Austin told Fowler. “We’ll be blocking for each other.”
There are some solid examples of this from last year’s group. Van Jefferson frequently did the thankless job of blocking to help extend gains for his teammates.
Roman Wilson hasn’t had a chance to show much of anything on an NFL field yet, but he entered the league with the motto of “no block, no rock” from his time spent at Michigan.
And nobody has to question Metcalf’s effort. Budda Baker probably still has nightmares about Metcalf chasing him down the full length of the field to prevent a pick-six a few years ago.
Metcalf doesn’t give up on plays and he has the size and athleticism to be an asset in the blocking game downfield.
WR coach Zach Azzanni has spoken in the past about his experience as an athlete. Having to make up for his lack of natural talents, he added value by blocking and doing the little things well. That is exactly the mentality he has worked to instill in the Steelers’ WR room.
A coach’s message can only go so far. The players ultimately need to buy in and hold each other accountable on the field. It’s encouraging to hear Austin stress that accountability already in training camp.
