Steelers Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada Confident That Tight Ends Will Be More Involved Going Forward

The Pittsburgh Steelers offense has gotten a little bit of heat for its lack of usage of the tight ends. The unit's number one option in the passing game, Pat Freiermuth, has dealt with injuries again in 2023 and is currently on the injured reserve list dealing with a hamstring ailment. Steelers Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada said he would like the position group to be more involved as receivers, but there are a few factors that have dictated the absence of the position on game days. 

Canada addressed the media on Thursday and responded to questions about the team's lack of targets going toward the tight ends through six games of the season. He said that a lot of it has been situational, but also missing the top guy has hurt some of what they wanted to do. 

"With what we're doing, the ball kind of finds the guy that's open hopefully throughout a game," Canada explained. "I think over the course of 17 games, you'll probably see those balls work to the tight ends. Certainly, Pat [Freiermuth] being down a couple of games has affected that a little bit, but we feel good about the room."  

Swiss Army Knife tight end/running back Connor Heyward has taken over as the top target of the group in 2023, with Freiermuth sidelined. He sits tied for the lead with Pittsburgh's 2021 second-round pick with 13 targets, but should see that number trend upwards. The younger brother to Pittsburgh's star defensive tackle, Cam Heyward, scored one touchdown in 2022 in an emotional homecoming at Atlanta. 

Connor Heyward had a pair of receptions on three targets for 23 yards against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 7. He nearly found the end zone on a play-action pass from Kenny Pickett, but was stopped short of the goal line. That play set up a run by Najee Harris for Pittsburgh to take a 24-17 lead with 7:40 left in the fourth quarter. 

Rookie Darnell Washington has actually been the team's most-used tight end so far in 2023, with 181 offensive snaps amounting to almost 50% of the plays this season. The former Georgia Bulldogs standout hasn't been much of a factor in the passing attack, with just one catch on three targets, but has been used as an extra blocker to help free up some running lanes for Harris and Jaylen Warren.

Rodney Williams is in his second season with the organization, but has gotten into his first game action in 2023. He was elevated off the practice squad in advance of the Week 5 game against the Baltimore Ravens and almost had his first career touchdown on a punt block where if his elbows landed an inch in the right direction, he'd have recovered for a score. 

Steelers' Canada Looking For More Ways To Get Gargantuan Washington Involved

With how much Washington has been as a blocker on run plays, the question was floated to Canada if opposing defenses would immediately be tipped off to a run play when they see the hulking tight end on the field. Canada said they as a staff are cognizant of that possibility and are actively trying to work him into the passing game. 

"Obviously, that's a real thing, but we're aware of that for sure. The ball will find him at some point and I think there's opportunities there."   

Washington took some time to develop a role in the passing game at Georgia and also had to share the field with 2024 draft hopeful Brock Bowers. He posted career highs in receptions (24), receiving yards (454), and touchdowns (2) in his final year at the school in 2022. Maybe the Steelers are bringing him up slowly while trying to utilize his biggest strength, blocking, as a starting point. Either way, it sure would be nice for Pickett to have a six-foot-seven target in the red zone.

What do you think of the tigh end usage so far? How would you try to get them more involved? Comment below!

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