The Steelers' best running backs since 1966
Franco Harris has the most rushing yards of the 126 running backs who played with the Steelers since 1966, 11,950 in 165 games. Jerome Bettis is 2nd with 10,571.
The Steelers' running backs this season
- Jaylen Warren8 games, 88.0 a game3,336 with the Steelers. 8 more puts him past Walter Abercrombie for 10th since 1966.704rushing yards
- Rico Dowdle5 games, 34.8 a game174rushing yards
By decade: 2020s · 2010s · 2000s · 1990s · 1980s · 1970s · 1966–69
Compare with in · side by side
| Place | Player | rushing yards | rushing TDs | scrimmage yards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Franco Harris1972 – 1983 · 165 games | 11,950 | 91 | 14,234 |
| 2 | Jerome Bettis1996 – 2005 · 143 games | 10,571 | 78 | 11,377 |
| 3 | Willie Parker2004 – 2009 · 75 games | 5,376 | 24 | 6,075 |
| 4 | Le'Veon Bell2013 – 2017 · 62 games | 5,336 | 35 | 8,004 |
| 5 | Najee Harris2021 – 2024 · 68 games | 4,312 | 28 | 5,461 |
| 6 | Frank Pollard1980 – 1988 · 111 games | 3,989 | 20 | 4,861 |
| 7 | Barry Foster1990 – 1994 · 62 games | 3,943 | 26 | 4,747 |
| 8 | Rocky Bleier1968 – 1980 · 137 games | 3,865 | 23 | 5,159 |
| 9 | Rashard Mendenhall2008 – 2012 · 57 games | 3,549 | 29 | 4,210 |
| 10 | Walter Abercrombie1982 – 1987 · 79 games | 3,343 | 22 | 4,696 |
| 11 | Jaylen Warren2022 – 2026 · still playing | 3,336 | 14 | 4,857 |
| +704 this season · passes Walter Abercrombie for 10th in 1 game at his pace | ||||
| 12 | Merril Hoge1987 – 1993 · 109 games | 3,115 | 21 | 5,169 |
| 13 | John Fuqua1970 – 1976 · 87 games | 2,942 | 21 | 4,178 |
| 14 | James Conner2017 – 2020 · 48 games | 2,302 | 22 | 3,265 |
| 15 | Preston Pearson1970 – 1974 · 62 games | 2,243 | 8 | 2,930 |
| 16 | Earnest Jackson1986 – 1988 · 37 games | 1,921 | 9 | 2,226 |
| 17 | Dick Hoak1966 – 1970 · 64 games | 1,858 | 8 | 2,676 |
| 18 | Amos Zereoue1999 – 2003 · 58 games | 1,698 | 7 | 2,520 |
| 19 | Sidney Thornton1977 – 1982 · 74 games | 1,512 | 18 | 2,027 |
| 20 | Bam Morris1994 – 1995 · 28 games | 1,395 | 16 | 1,635 |
| 21 | Tim Worley1989 – 1993 · 33 games | 1,338 | 5 | 1,534 |
| 22 | Erric Pegram1995 – 1996 · 27 games | 1,322 | 6 | 1,640 |
| 23 | DeAngelo Williams2015 – 2016 · 24 games | 1,250 | 15 | 1,735 |
| 24 | Warren Williams1988 – 1992 · 66 games | 1,191 | 8 | 1,530 |
| 25 | Earl Gros1967 – 1969 · 36 games | 1,174 | 8 | 1,691 |
rushing yards by decade
2020s
- Najee Harris2021 – 2024 · 68 games4,312
- › Jaylen Warren2022 – 2026 · 72 games3,336
- James Conner2020 · 13 games721
- Benny Snell2020 – 2022 · 40 games556
- Kenny Gainwell2025 · 17 games537
2010s
- Le'Veon Bell2013 – 2017 · 62 games5,336
- Rashard Mendenhall2010 – 2012 · 37 games2,383
- James Conner2017 – 2019 · 35 games1,581
- DeAngelo Williams2015 – 2016 · 24 games1,250
- Isaac Redman2010 – 2013 · 48 games1,148
2000s
- Willie Parker2004 – 2009 · 75 games5,376
- Jerome Bettis2000 – 2005 · 81 games5,199
- Amos Zereoue2000 – 2003 · 52 games1,650
- Rashard Mendenhall2008 – 2009 · 20 games1,166
- Duce Staley2004 – 2005 · 14 games978
1990s
- Jerome Bettis1996 – 1999 · 62 games5,372
- Barry Foster1990 – 1994 · 62 games3,943
- Merril Hoge1990 – 1993 · 64 games1,781
- Bam Morris1994 – 1995 · 28 games1,395
- Erric Pegram1995 – 1996 · 27 games1,322
1980s
- Frank Pollard1980 – 1988 · 111 games3,989
- Franco Harris1980 – 1983 · 54 games3,387
- Walter Abercrombie1982 – 1987 · 79 games3,343
- Earnest Jackson1986 – 1988 · 37 games1,921
- Merril Hoge1987 – 1989 · 45 games1,334
1970s
- Franco Harris1972 – 1979 · 111 games8,563
- Rocky Bleier1971 – 1979 · 114 games3,486
- John Fuqua1970 – 1976 · 87 games2,942
- Preston Pearson1970 – 1974 · 62 games2,243
- Sidney Thornton1977 – 1979 · 42 games952
1966–69
- Dick Hoak1966 – 1969 · 52 games1,743
- Earl Gros1967 – 1969 · 36 games1,174
- Willie Asbury1966 – 1968 · 27 games868
- Don Shy1967 – 1968 · 27 games447
- Cannonball Butler1966 – 1967 · 24 games407
Also with the Steelers: quarterbacks · receivers · tight ends · Pittsburgh Steelers record book
Method
- Every running back who played with the Steelers since 1966, ranked by rushing yards over his games there. Regular-season games only.
- The numbers here start in 1966, so a running back who played with the Steelers before then isn't here.
- A decade counts his rushing yards with the Steelers in its seasons.