Pittsburgh Steelers Top 5 Running Backs of All Time

(last updated on February 3, 2026)

This edition of our series through each current franchise in the National Football League takes us to the Steel City of Pittsburgh. The Steelers franchise started in 1933, and the team and its fans have always had an affection for productive running backs.

This article will explore the careers of the top five running backs in Pittsburgh Steelers history. These players have not only demonstrated outstanding athleticism but have also become iconic figures among fans. From the franchise’s early years to today, these running backs have left an unforgettable mark on the team’s legacy.

We’ll examine each player’s key accomplishments, impact on the team, and lasting influence on the Steelers’ identity. Their performances on the field helped shape the franchise and solidified their places among the greatest running backs in team history.

To determine this elite group, we’ll evaluate several key regular-season metrics, including rushing yards, total touchdowns, receptions, and individual awards earned while with the Steelers. Additionally, we’ll consider their playoff performance with the team and, if relevant, their achievements outside of Pittsburgh—whether in other parts of their NFL careers or noteworthy events that further define their legacies.

Join us as we break down the careers of these standout players who helped shape the rich history of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the running back position itself.

Top Five Steelers Running Backs

There are so many good ones to choose from … where do we start? Let’s call out the most productive backs who wore the Pittsburgh colors.

Le’Veon Bell endeared football fans with the most patient running style ever. When handed the ball, he would step up to the line and almost pause, waiting for his linemen to create a seam he could accelerate through. The unorthodox running style proved productive as this two-time All-Pro rushed for over 5,300 yards and 35 touchdowns on the ground for Pittsburgh. If not distracted by some business decisions, who knows what milestones Bell could have reached with the Steelers.

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JHJ was among the first Pittsburgh Steelers to be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. John Henry played in an era of Pittsburgh football where, quite frankly, they were not very good, but #35 produced 4,381 rushing yards and 26 rushing touchdowns in his six seasons as a Steeler. Johnson has one of the best averages for the Steel City franchise with a lofty 4.4 yards per carry for his career.

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The Bus may not have started his career as a Steeler, but he helped “drive” Pittsburgh to another championship. The Rams drafted Bettis after a brilliant college career at Notre Dame. A large man with quick feet allowed Jerome to plow through stubborn defenders or dance around them to find daylight. The numbers of this Bus resulted in over 10,000 yards of rushing and 80 total TDs for the Pittsburgh franchise, along with a gold jacket and bronze bust in Canton for Jerome Bettis.

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Besides catching a pass on what many consider the most iconic play in football history, Franco Harris was a Pro Football Hall of Fame runner. He secured five 1,000-yard seasons back when the NFL only played 14 games (eight total in his career) and plunged into the end zone on TD rushes 91 times! His career running the ball for the Steelers garnered 11,950 yards with a 4.1 average in a dozen seasons.

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Rocky Bleier is a wild card for this list, as his production numbers are overshadowed by many other franchise running backs (3,865 ground yards and 23 rushing TDs). However, none had the heart that Rock had. Besides being a military hero and rushing back from a wound that earned him a Purple Heart, Bleier did the dirty work of blocking for Franco and digging out the hard yards between the tackles with grit and determination, helping the Steelers win four Super Bowls.

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Other Steelers Studs in the Backfield

The Steelers have had some other backs accomplish some great achievements. Please enjoy these names of significant Steelers running backs. See how many of these talented runners you remember.

Oh, what could have been! Barry Foster took the league by storm in the early 1990s, especially the 1992 season, where he ran for an NFL-high 390 attempts for 1,690 yards and was the MVP runner-up. The high usage might have worn the talented back from Arkansas down, as he never got close to either number again in his NFL career. Foster did produce 26 TD runs and almost 4,000 ground yards for the Steelers offense.

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The modern fan may better know Hoak as an assistant coach in the NFL, but this guy was a stud when he played from 1961 through 1970 as a Steeler. A Pro Bowler in 1968, Hoak rushed for over 3,900 yards and scored 25 touchdowns via the run.

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This bell-cow back is also one to consider as an all-time great Steelers running back: Najee Harris. Although no longer in the Steel City, Harris reached the 4,000-yard career rushing mark as a Pittsburgh Steeler. Najee eclipsed the 1,000-yard milestone in each of his first four seasons. The big back can also catch passes and effectively pass block to complement his running ability and help his offense thrive.

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Known as “Fast Willie,” this man was a lightning bolt of quickness and foot speed. The undrafted free agent from North Carolina arrived on the Pittsburgh roster at first as a drastic change of pace to complement the hard-hitting runs of Jerome Bettis, but he hit another gear! In Super Bowl XL, Parker set the record for the longest run in Super Bowl history (75 yards). He was a splash play waiting to happen every time he touched the ball.

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Rashard Mendenhall had a solid, if relatively brief, career in the NFL as a running back, primarily with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Drafted 23rd overall by Pittsburgh in 2008, Mendenhall quickly became the team’s featured back. In his second season, he rushed for over 1,100 yards and scored 8 total touchdowns. Then in 2010 he ran for 1,273 yards and 13 TDs, helping lead the Steelers to a Super Bowl XLV appearance. Mendenhall’s blend of power and agility made him a consistent performer. However, injuries and inconsistent play limited his long-term impact. After five seasons with the Steelers, Mendenhall spent one final year with the Arizona Cardinals in 2013 before retiring. Despite his early success, Mendenhall’s career was hampered by injuries, and he retired at just 26 years old.

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Conclusion

The legacy of these legendary running backs continues to inspire generations of Steelers fans. These players have left an indelible mark on the franchise, from Franco Harris’ iconic Immaculate Reception to Jerome Bettis’ powerful rushing style. As the Steelers look to the future, they can draw inspiration from the past, knowing that the foundation of their success is built upon the backs of these remarkable running backs.

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This entry was posted on Friday, February 7th, 2025 at 1:00 pm and is filed under Top Lists. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.