After Steelers Week 4 Bloodbath, One NFL Expert Questions If The Organizational Issues Are More Severe Than Previously Thought

The Pittsburgh Steelers rolled into Week 4 with a record of 2-1 and everyone felt that the game against the Houston Texans was a must-win. After getting severely humbled by the Texans 30-6, the fans and NFL analysts are calling for significant change. This demand for change starts at the top, with no one being spared criticism. Now one NFL analyst has said that he thinks the problem runs deeper than play-calling or player ability. 

The Steelers have looked inconsistent to start the 2023 season. While the San Francisco 49ers came into town Week 1 and dismantled the team, it was easy to dismiss that loss because it was to what is arguably the best team in the NFL. Then Week 2 against the Cleveland Browns, the Steelers defense was the true star, scoring two touchdowns and ensuring the win.  

A real glimmer of hope came in Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders. It was hardly a flawless game, but the Steelers did look better than they had in either of the first two weeks of the season. This led to hope that the team was slowly improving similar to the way they did in 2022. Those hopes were dashed when the team was unable to get anything going, in any phase of the game, against the Texans. 

Now NFL analyst Bill Barnwell from ESPN is expressing concerns about the entire organization. He noted that the offensive coordinator has been under fire from the majority of the fan base for the majority of his tenure with the team. When Canada was first hired by the Steelers after coaching in college for many years, he was touted as being creative and Barnwell said that he doesn't see this. 

"It's difficult to identify this offense's strength on a week-to-week basis or how it strikes fear in opposing coordinators on tape. Canada was once known as a coordinator who specialized in using shifts and motion to create mismatches and beneficial leverage for his offense," said Barnwell.

The NFL is now more offensively driven than it ever has before. Barnwell pointed out that newer coaches like Mike McDaniel and Sean McVey are changing the mantra of, "defenses win championships." We see those coaches out there picking apart some of the best defenses in the league. From Barnwell's perspective, the Steelers are struggling to find their way.

Steelers Are Not Making Progress In This New NFL         

Barnwell broke down some of the stats that concern him the most regarding Pittsburgh's play so far in 2023. Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett is 22nd in expected points added per play on passes that come on the run. He added that Pickett is 4-of-10 for minus 4 yards and a quarterback rating of 2.8. The only player who is worse in that area is Jimmy Garoppolo.

Pickett was injured during the game near the end of the third quarter against the Texans. The Steelers were going for it on fourth-and-one and he was sacked while trying to escape pressure. While it is still not clear exactly what his status will be for Week 5, it is obvious that Pickett being out is not the only weakness of the team, per Barnwell. He has serious concerns about the Steelers defense too.

"Regardless of the quarterback situation, what might be even more damning for the Steelers is their inability to hold up in coverage. An organization that had a long history of drafting and developing young talent in the secondary has to go outside of the building to add veterans in recent years."

T.J. Watt has proven to be an absolute beast on defense, but he cannot single-handedly do it all. Barnwell noted that while the team has an above-average sack rate, their pressure rate is below league average. The secondary is where the majority of the struggles are occurring, they rank 28th in expected points added per play allowed without pressure. He noted that only the Los Angeles Chargers and the Denver Broncos have allowed more yards in these types of situations. 

"We've seen the Steelers be competitive with middling quarterback play in the past, but that has required something special or outlier-ish for Coach Mike Tomlin to stay above .500."

A common thread has been that the team has all the "pieces" they need to be successful and just needs a coach and quarterback to pull it all together. The loss to the Texans showed that the problems might be deeper than that. The lynchpin might not just be Pickett, it might be that the majority of the team just isn't doing enough.  

The Steelers face the Baltimore Ravens in Week 5. The Ravens are a bit banged up as well, so it should make for a telling matchup, especially if Pickett is able to play. Remarkably enough, the Steelers could win that game and lead the AFC North.

"It's unclear whether Pittsburgh will have its starting quarterback going forward, or whether it has the infrastructure to succeed with any quarterback at the helm."

Barnwell is just saying what nearly everyone is thinking. While no team wants to lose their starting quarterback, it is becoming increasingly clear that Pickett is not the only issue. Fortunately, the bye week will follow after the Ravens, perhaps the Steelers can pull out a bye week miracle like they did in 2022. 

What do you think the biggest issue is with the Steelers? Do you think Pickett is the quarterback of the future? Click to comment below. 

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