Steelers Could Use Strategy From An AFC South Team In 2023

The Pittsburgh Steelers are always looking for ways to get better and have their way with opponents. While most of their strategies are already well-known by the rest of the league, they still have other options. In fact, they can go back to 2020 and use a strategy from a playoff team that has not been used much since then. The Steelers have the perfect roster to be able to execute this strategy and as long as Matt Canada doesn't run the same plays over and over again, it could be effective each time it's used. 

In 2020, the Indianapolis Colts snuck into the playoffs with a veteran quarterback in Phillip Rivers under center. However, they still had a very serviceable backup in Jacoby Brissett that they wanted to continue to utilize. While Rivers was still the starting quarterback, Brissett would come in for short-yardage situations. His dual-threat ability and large frame helped keep the playbook open as Brissett could either hand it off, sneak it, run a play action or do a straight drop-back and hit a man over the top.

He struggled to throw the ball well, but he was still able to execute the QB sneaks. In about half of Brissett's snap count in 2020, he was trusted with the ball in some way, whether it was to pass or run it himself. He had just over double the amount of rushing attempts as he had passing attempts, but his overall passing ability still made the defense think a bit, as a hard play action was always a possibility.

How Can The Steelers Use This?

Kenny Pickett has shown that he is more than capable of running a short-yardage offense, both as a passer and a runner, including the fact that he had a pair of QB sneak touchdowns in his NFL debut against the New York Jets. However, a major concussion against the Baltimore Ravens and, at bare minimum, a concussion scare against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers might make Canada a little more worried to use Pickett in QB sneak situations. Two concussions in Pickett's rookie year would raise some concerns and warrant the need to keep him safer.

Like the Colts had in 2020, the Steelers have a high-end backup quarterback that is more than capable of being able to both throw and run as a backup and jump into starter role if there is an injury. Mitchell Trubisky had his struggles when he was considered the full-time starter, but he performed admirably in relief of Pickett. He made some clutch plays against Tampa Bay and helped pull off the upset. While he had a rough game against Baltimore, he made an excellent start against the Carolina Panthers and helped run the longest drive in the NFL in 2022, which was capped off with a QB sneak touchdown.

Trubisky isn't some high-end quarterback that can carry a team, but he has proven he can be an effective game manager when called upon, and you can't ask for anything more from a backup. With Pickett's early concussion issues, they could turn to Trubisky in short-yardage and goal-line situations. He has shown what he is capable of as long as he's not the every-day starter and he can keep the playbook open when it seems like an obvious power run situation.

How Would This Benefit The Steelers?

As mentioned before, Pickett would be at less risk of injury. While Trubisky isn't particularly old, he's still a veteran and won't get many reps on the field anymore. Trubisky can help save Pickett from the wear-and-tear of the game while still keeping Pickett in the every-day starting quarterback role. It also helps Trubisky get some reps on the field to help keep him ready in case Pickett does get injured. With both quarterbacks playing a similar style, there wouldn't need to be many adjustments made and these short-yardage reps could keep Trubisky from being rusty.

Even though both quarterbacks are similar, the quarterback rotation could make opposing defenses flinch. Even after the Steelers theoretically use this strategy repeatedly, they could still keep the defenses on their toes with Trubisky's skillset. If they sell out for the run, he can still run a play action or deep drop-back and find a receiver over the top. Nothing is out of question for when Trubisky enters on 3rd-and-1 and the Steelers could take advantage of it.

What do you think of the potential of Trubisky being a short-yardage quarterback? Let us know in the comments below.

#SteelerNation.