If the Steelers have relied heavily on YAC thanks to players like Kenneth Gainwell and DK Metcalf this season, that is no accident. Both of them had career years this season in that regard, but OC Arthur Smith built that into the scheme. He knew their strength would be creating with the ball in their hands, and they proved him right.
“We identified early on we’ve got a lot of catch-and-run guys”, Smith said, via transcript provided by the Steelers’ media department, adding that the running backs—both Kenneth Gainwell and Jaylen Warren—are a big part of their YAC efforts.