The Pittsburgh Steelers passing offense since Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada took over before the 2021 season has been largely underwhelming. In 2021, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was on his last legs, and the team finished 15th in the league in passing yards and 16th in passing touchdowns per Pro Football Reference. In 2022, quarterbacks Mitch Trubisky and Kenny Pickett combined for the least passing scores leaguewide and finished 24th in total yards. Former NFL MVP quarterback Rich Gannon thinks the team will be able to have a much more explosive aerial attack in 2023.
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Steelers pass catcher George Pickens (#14) goes up to grab a pass during the 2022 training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Gannon said recently during a video he made for The 33rd Team that with the continued growth from quarterback Kenny Pickett, his budding connection with fellow second-year player George Pickens, and the addition of veteran receiver Allen Robinson, that Pittsburgh's offense "have a chance to be explosive in the passing game in 2023." He elaborated on the second-year signal-caller.
"What I like about Pickett is that he has put in the time, the effort, and the energy into becoming better at his craft," Gannon explained. "He has been around the facility. He has been in the weight room. He's been in the meeting rooms and out on the practice field. He's been gathering up the receivers on his own. I like what I've seen from Pickett."
The young quarterback has been almost flawless in the preseason completing 9 of 11 passes against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Buffalo Bills for 113 yards and two touchdowns. The 25-year-old is keeping things in perspective though, telling the media via The Athletic that it's only preseason and it's easy for him and the team to stay motivated because they haven't done anything in a game that counts in the standings in 2023 yet.
Steelers Carrying Momentum From Strong Finish In 2022 Into 2023 Is Key According To Gannon
The 2002 AP Most Valuable Player with the then-Oakland Raiders said that for any team on the rise, it is important to finish a season strong and then be able to carry those good vibes into the next year. He sees Pittsburgh as a team that fits that descriptor. After a rocky 2-6 start with Trubisky under center until Week 4, the team was able to turn it around in the second half and go 7-2 with Pickett running the offense. The team was also able to preserve Head Coach Mike Tomlin's record of not having a losing season which was a point of pride for some players.
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Steelers QB Kenny Pickett enters 2023 as the guy after beating out Mitch Trubisky in 2022.
Gannon pointed to Pickett's impressive cut down on interceptions from eight in his first five games down to just one against the Las Vegas Raiders in the next eight games. Pickens also had a bit of a slow start to his rookie season, but once Pickett took over as the starter, he began to flourish. He scored all four of his receiving touchdowns after the quarterback change and the chemistry between the two was on display during the first preseason game against the Buccaneers, when the two connected for a 33-yard score.
Gannon didn't even mention the team's stable of other weapons that will play a factor in the offense taking a step up from last year. Diontae Johnson had a well-publicized tough time getting into the end zone last season, despite leading the team in yards and catches. Pickett is confident that Johnson will hit pay dirt in 2023.
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Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (#88) stands on the field at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA.
Tight end Pat Freiermuth is a threat down the middle of the field and was often looked to when the team needed a key conversion. Speedster Calvin Austin III could be a handful for opposing defenses. He showed off his ability to use his breathtaking speed to get open for a 67-yard touchdown from Mason Rudolph against the Buccanneers. Add in Robinson, who Gannon did mention, plus two running backs in Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren that have shown an ability to catch out of the backfield and you have a pretty formidable group of pass-catchers who should help this team to new heights in the aerial attack.
Do you agree with Gannon that Pittsburgh can be an explosive passing attack in 2023? Where do you think they will rank among the league's passing attacks? Comment below!
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