Former Steelers Popular LB Arthur Moats Doesn't Think Team Will Let Kenny Pickett Audible A Ton In 2023

The Pittsburgh Steelers' offense was one of the worst in football in 2022. That started with the quarterback position, as Mitch Trubisky and Kenny Pickett combined for mediocre play across the 17 games. Trubisky began the season as the starter before Pickett eventually took over. One of the bigger controversies of the 2022 campaign was offensive coordinator Matt Canada's handling of the offense.

Most notably, he didn't allow either of the starting quarterbacks to audible. While it was Trubisky's first year in Pittsburgh, he's a six-year veteran in this league with some success, which made that a bit interesting. Former Steelers linebacker Arthur Moats thinks it will be more of the same in 2023, and he actually provided an argument for not allowing Pickett to audible via his Arthur Moats Experience podcast.

"Why give you all the keys to mess this up? Even if you think you're ready, why rush it? Once you start rolling that out, you can't bring it back. If he [Pickett] starts audibling already, you can't change your mind because he starts messing it up. I just don't see them giving him all of that reign," Moats said.

Heading into the season, Canada's job is on the line. In fact, it came as a mild surprise that they brought him back this offseason. After a dreadful two-year run, it seemed like the team would let him go. Instead, he's getting one last go at it, as he enters the final year of his contract. Arguably the main reason that he came back was to provide some stability for Pickett entering his second NFL season.

Given the fact that he's entering the final year of his contract, the team doesn't necessarily have to "fire" him after 2023. They can just opt to not renew his deal, leaving the offensive coordinator position open next offseason. Barring a drastic change of events, that seems to be the likely result. Moats and his co-hosts pointed out one particular playmaker that would benefit from audibles: wideout Allen Robinson. 

In particular, they think the veteran wide receiver will largely benefit from Pickett's scrambling. The veteran was acquired this offseason via trade, and he's struggled the past few seasons. Now, he's hoping to rejuvenate his career in Pittsburgh. In the peak of Ben Roethlisberger's career, he became known for extending plays. Pickett has shown a similar ability, and he even can take off with it a bit better than Roethlisberger.

Moats' point is valid, as there's no going back once you start to allow your quarterback to audible. Now that Canada has some freedom and command of the offense, Moats thinks it's partially why he won't let Pickett audible. In 2021, Roethlisberger's final season of his 18-year career, Canada didn't have a whole lot of power, despite being the offensive coordinator.

The team let the six-time Pro Bowler do his own thing, which led to difficult circumstances for the OC at times. Now that Roethlisberger is retired, Canada has that full reign of the offense. This isn't to say Pickett won't have more responsibilities in Year 2. He certainly will, and the team will need him to step up. Several people around the organization fully believe he will take a big step forward in 2023.

It's what has analysts raving about the Steelers lately. Canada seems to be the one factor that people are still hesitant on, and rightfully so. In his two years at the helm, he hasn't shown much to give fans a ton of confidence. On a positive note, this will be the most talented offense that he's had in Pittsburgh thus far. Time will tell if the talent helps Canada turn things around.

What are your thoughts on these comments by Moats? Do you agree that Canada likely won't let Pickett audible a ton more in 2023? Can you see the argument made for not giving full reign to Pickett just yet? Share your thoughts in the comment section below, yinz!

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