Steelers Scout Merril Hoge Provides Crushing Review Of 2023 Receiving Core "This Is Terrible"

The Pittsburgh Steelers are 1-1 to begin the 2023 season, but the preseason hype bubble has been significantly deflated after a couple of underwhelming offensive performances. The team is ranked 31st in the NFL in total yards per game through the first two weeks and nothing has gone according to plan as the offense has only found the end zone two times in as many games. A lot of the blame has been thrown at Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada and second-year quarterback, Kenny Pickett. Overall, it's a team sport and all of the fault can't be on two individuals alone.

The stat-lines have not been pretty for the majority of offensive players. George Pickens has 163 receiving yards and a touchdown in the first two games, but that is mediocre at best based on some of the numbers being put up around the league. Pickett has more interceptions than touchdown passes and the team has also not had a running back cross the goal-line. It hasn't been pretty.

The group suffered a major blow when Diontae Johnson suffered a serious hamstring injury and was placed on Injured Reserve. His route-running and shiftiness was certainly missed in game two against the Cleveland Browns. Tight end, Pat Freiermuth only has five targets that have led to two catches and five total yards. Backup running back (for now), Jaylen Warren is second on the team in receiving yards.

The passing game has been woeful, but the running game has been as well. The Steelers can't seem to get anything going on offense and the defense is the only reason they were able to pick up a win against Cleveland on Monday Night Football. The reality is: Pittsburgh will never be competitive with an offense that averages one touchdown a game.

Steelers Receivers Apparently Aren't Giving It 100% On The Field

National and local media, as well as fans, have been very quick to call out Canada. Pickett has received his fair share of criticism as well, but another voice of reason went on record Friday to go after a different group. Former Steelers running back, Merril Hoge joined the DVE Morning Show and expressed his sincere displeasure with the franchise's offense so far in 2023. He told host, Randy Baumann that the wide receivers look bad out there.

"You got people jogging on their routes and they're late. That has an effect on your quarterback, I'm telling you," Hoge said. "I see nobody with a sense of urgency on the perimeter. When they go run routes, I'm like, 'Oh my gosh,' this is terrible. This is no pro football. These are not pro players when they run routes like that."

The entire statement from Hoge is a strong critique and he was specifically calling out a group, and taking the blame away from the two commons targets in Canada and Pickett. It's safe to say that he is unhappy with the receiving core and continued on.

"You've got guys drifting into routes. I've never seen a drifter. Where a guy is going to hitch at, 10 yards, and he starts backpedaling at five and drifting to 10. I'm like, 'What is that?'"

The numbers from the wide receivers to this point could certainly insinuate that they are not fulfilling their end of the bargain. Canada's play-calling may be poor and Pickett may have already missed many throws, but the blame shouldn't be placed just on them.

Hoge has always been favorable towards the Steelers, but he was not mincing words this time. It could be possible that the receiving core is lacking passion because they don't believe in the system. It's hard to buy into a philosophy that was in the bottom 10 in the entire NFL in the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Something needs to change soon, however, or more than one person may be looking for a new job.

Do you think the Steelers are to blame for some of the offensive struggles? Let us know in the comments below!

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