The Pittsburgh Steelers entered Week 10 of the 2023 NFL season with a record of 5-3. The defense has played extremely well in big moments throughout the year, but the offensive unit, led by quarterback, Kenny Pickett and Offensive Coordinator, Matt Canada has not lived up to the expectations that arose after the starting group scored five touchdowns in five drives in the preseason. Fans in the Steel City are already writing Canada's letter of resignation while Pickett is slowly becoming a player who isn't a favorite. He has a winning record in his career, but seems allergic to putting up big numbers in games.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers Offensive Coordinator, Matt Canada addresses one of his running backs during a 2022 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Pickett was known for his accuracy and precision coming out of the University of Pittsburgh, but has not been particularly good in that area for the majority of the 2023 campaign. That was evident in the second quarter against the Packers when a simple screen pass to the outside almost led to a disastrous turnover. The quarterback was looking for running back, Jaylen Warren, outside the hash marks and an errant throw almost led to a lateral recovered by Green Bay.
Former Steelers Super Bowl-winning offensive lineman, Trai Essex, took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to rip into the signal-caller for the horrible pass that came in such a easy situation.
Dude, seriously #8?! Simple shit! These are mistakes NFL QBs should not make. A simple swing pass should be executed 100/100 times.
— Trai Essex (@TraiDay79) November 12, 2023
Luckily for the Steelers, after a Packers challenge by Head Coach, Matt LaFleur, the call on the field stood. CBS analyst, Charles Davis was noticeably against the officials' decision to not grant the Packers with the ball.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers quarterback, Kenny Pickett (#8) runs out of the tunnel at Acrisure Stadium prior to a 2022 regular season matchup against the Baltimore Ravens in Pittsburgh, PA.
Steelers Have To Be Concerned About Pickett's Accuracy Issues
Pickett doesn't seem to be as dynamic as some expected him to be out of college. He has made up for his imperfections in the fourth quarter of games, but it's hard to believe he is the future of the franchise if he isn't able to complete a simple swing pass. Essex followed up his original criticism posting about the Steelers being extremely lucky that the call on the field wasn't overturned.
We got lucky. That was a lateral. https://t.co/YIzB9Fmc1e
— Trai Essex (@TraiDay79) November 12, 2023
Pittsburgh's offense doesn't have too much margin for error. It has already suffered from poor play-calling and execution. When your quarterback is unable to make simple passes, it makes the situation even worse. Pickett is still developing early in his career, but a signal-caller in the NFL does not have an excuse to fail at executing the routine plays.
%202023%20Camp%20Final%20with%20Logos/2L9A6683-544x306.jpg "Steelers Kenny Pickett")
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers signal-caller, Kenny Pickett (#8) runs onto the field during a 2023 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Pickett has been heavily critiqued throughout his first season and a half as a professional. The Steelers have also taken some heat for taking him 20th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, especially because the next quarterback wasn't selected until the third round. The jury is still out on Pickett, but plays like the one Essex took a disliking to have to stop happening if he is the future at the position for Pittsburgh.
Do you share the same frustrations as Essex displayed on social media? Let us know in the comments below!
#SteelerNation
