There is no way to sugarcoat the fact that the Pittsburgh Steelers offense is one of, if not, the worst group in the entire NFL. An average of 15.3 points per game scored has led to a 2-5 record and the organization currently holds the 7th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Though the offense isn't the only factor that has led to the poor start, it is surely at the forefront of the conversation. The blame starts with offensive coordinator, Matt Canada and his questionable play calling, but it goes beyond that. If the offense is so 'simple,' why is the team's rookie quarterback last in passer rating, interception percentage and yards per catch?
Steelers starting quarterback Kenny Pickett (#8) prepares to take a snap at Acrisure Stadium in his first regular season action against the New York Jets. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
One of the real concerns here is that the offense has attempted the most deep ball passes of 20 or more yards in the league, yet doesn't have a touchdown on any of those. Most of the calls seem to come against man coverage on third and short situations, but the Steelers don't have a Hall of Fame quarterback leading the way. Ben Roethlisberger retired after the 2021 season and Pickett is either checking it down short or going deep down the field. There is no in between and certainly no identity like there was in Roethlisberger's golden years.
Pickett's first half passing chart on Sunday evening against the Miami Dolphins was quite disturbing compared to Tua Tagovailoa's.
Kenny Pickett first-half passing chart pic.twitter.com/x2QX7BPFDI
— Kevin Patra (@kpatra) October 24, 2022
Pickett's best throw of the night was on the offense's final drive as he found tight end, Pat Freiermuth over the middle of the field to convert a fourth down. It was the only completion over the middle of the field of 10 yards or more in the contest for the signal caller. It isn't far fetched to ask why this has been a consistent trend the last two seasons for Canada, especially when the rushing attack can't get going.
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 18: Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on during the game against the New England Patriots at Acrisure Stadium on September 18, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
To be fair, Canada wasn't out there throwing two crucial interceptions in the fourth quarter as Pickett did, but whatever way you spin it, he clearly has not had a solid game plan in place for the rookie. Since the rookie took over, the offensive drives have gone for 14 punts, 11 three and outs, eight scores and seven interceptions. The continuous nature of not giving the defense a rest has been exhausting.
The unit's final two drives, which both ended with interceptions, were a combined 22 plays, but a majority of the time it was a no huddle type offense. Who's to say that Pickett was leading the charge late in the fourth quarter on Sunday night? The group looked at its best in 2021 with Roethlisberger when he took control late in games.
There is little to no chance that Canada is on the Steelers coaching staff in 2023, but if he wants to have any sort of future coaching in the NFL, his audition is certainly running out of time and could be cut short if the team sputters again during the Week 8 battle with the Philadelphia Eagles. This would most likely be the time to move on from Canada as it would give quarterbacks coach, Mike Sullivan two full weeks to implement new ideas heading into the bye week.
Steelers' Kenny Pickett works with quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan in preparation for the Buffalo Bills. | Credit: Abigail Dean/Pittsburgh Steelers
There is one thing for sure and it's that Canada's offense is not good. He can talk about execution each week, but the play calls are bad, the scheme isn't creative and the run game is nonexistent. There needs to be a ton of changes going forward and unfortunately for Steelers fans, it is not going to be fixed overnight, especially if Canada is still at the helm calling the plays.
What are your thoughts on Canada's play calling and offensive setup? Let us know in the comments below!
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