Steelers' Kenny Pickett Admits To Having No Offensive Identity Through 2 Weeks

Many hoped that the Pittsburgh Steelers would turn a corner in 2023. After having one of the worst offenses in the NFL the past few seasons, an improvement on that side of the ball felt inevitable. Steelers General Manager Omar Khan made plenty of flashy moves in free agency and the 2023 NFL Draft, only building the hype for the season. Fast forward to the preseason, and quarterback Kenny Pickett only turned up that hype.

It was a flawless three-game stint for the sophomore quarterback. Unfortunately, those exhibition matches came against poor, backup defenders. That's been reflected in the first two weeks of the regular season, as the offense has failed to show the same kind of performances. When speaking to the media on Wednesday, Pickett admitted that the offense still doesn't have a clear identity.

"We've got to find it. Clearly we don't have one [identity]," the Steelers quarterback said to media on Wednesday. "I just want to get back to playing the offense that we know we can be: balanced, running the ball, having the play-action, getting guys the ball downfield. It just seems like we're missing one element of that."

Now, it is still early in the season. It's important to remember that we're still only in September, but as Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin says, two games is when you start to notice a trend. The Steelers have had to face two of the better defenses in the NFL in the San Francisco 49ers and Cleveland Browns. At this point though, Pickett is 100% correct in his assessment. 

There is no identity to this offense, at least not through two weeks of the season. While they still have months to get this thing figured out, the trajectory isn't promising. There's not one specific person to blame either, as essentially no one on the offensive side of the ball has played to their best abilities to start the season. Steelers Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada hasn't given his playmakers any help either.

Will The Steelers Move On From Canada During 2023 Season?

At this point, it'll be interesting to see if the team holds onto him for the duration of the 2023 season. Fans have made it clear that they want him gone, as "Fire Canada" chants filled Acrisure Stadium on Monday Night Football. Former players have even dropped in to offer their opinions, including Ben Roethlisberger. Through two weeks, the Steelers' 96 rushing yards is second-worst in the NFL. 

Neither Najee Harris nor the offensive line has built any kind of rhythm on the ground. That even included in Week 2 when the game was close throughout. In the passing game, their six yards per attempt is sixth-worst across the league. As a whole, the offense is averaging the second-lowest total yards per game. Surprisingly, they only trail their AFC North rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals. 

There's no hiding it, the numbers are ugly for the offense. The talent is there for Pittsburgh, but now it's a matter of executing and turning things around. In Week 3, they travel on the road for the first time this season to face the Las Vegas Raiders. Fortunately, the Raiders defense isn't nearly as good as the first two that the Steelers have faced. If Pickett and the offense continue to struggle for another game though, the criticisms will get even louder in Pittsburgh.

What does this offense need to do in order to establish an identity? Can the offense establish one with Canada as the offensive coordinator? How concerned are you for the team's overall offense heading into Week 3? Share your thoughts in the comment section below, yinz!

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