Speedy RB Lights Up Steelers Defense at Training Camp

UNITY TWP., Pa — The competition for the third running back slot is one that the Steelers have been looking to fill for the entire spring and now into training camp. But that might not be much of a competition if Anthony McFarland has a say about it to this point.

So far, McFarland is the star of that room. He has made big play after big play, and no one can seem to stop McFarland. In the backs-on-backers drill, McFarland had a far better showing than expected and put up a great fight against some formidable rushers. Mike Tomlin is not surprised by some of the headlines the splash for McFarland is providing, but he is making the routine look routine as well.

“He looks like a guy who’s been in this environment, and he has. Oftentimes we talk a lot about splash and splash gets a lot of attention. One of the points we’re trying to drive home is that professionals make routine plays routinely,” Tomlin said. “And I think that’s been the thing that’s gotten our attention regarding him. The routine play, the option route, the ball in the flat, the flare, and things of that nature. He is doing routine things very well and that’s important.”

In the linebackers versus running backs coverage drills, McFarland was the best player in this field. His route running is crisp and his agility really sticks out in a good way for a running back. His first two routes were wheel routes where Kwon Alexander and Tanner Muse simply could not keep up with his long speed. They turned into touchdowns. His battles with Alexander reached an apex, but McFarland won all three times. The last time, he put Alexander on skates and caught a ball on a pivot route. Alexander gave him a prompt handshake afterward.

If the Steelers can continue to get the consistency out of McFarland that they have thus far, it seems likely he will end up on the team’s roster. That does not mean he will make noise in the regular season, but it seems that McFarland has a skillset that is unique to what they have.