Steelers' Late Season Offensive Struggles Can Be Pinpointed To 1 Clear Thing In 2024

There are a lot of things people can say is going wrong with the Pittsburgh Steelers as they try to figure out how to get out of this current slump. With defensive miscommunication and players not doing their jobs, to the offense being out of sync, what can this coaching staff do to swing things back in the right direction? 

One thing they need to fix quickly is their offensive line struggles. The unit in the last three weeks just hasn't been able to give Russell Wilson enough time or a clean pocket. This wasn't a glaring issue at the beginning of the Wilson era, but with Dan Moore going back to his struggling ways, the Steelers could be in trouble at the tail end of the season.

Ray Fittipaldo was asked in his Steelers chat on the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about the recent struggles from the offensive line and if it was due to their inexperience, or are they just not good enough? Fittipaldo believes it's due to both and a big issue is that Moore is starting to take steps back after starting the season on good footing.

"A little bit of both," said Fittipaldo. "Dan Moore is getting exposed again. When he was playing well, it made a big difference."

Moore, who is in a contract year, was playing at high level. Many people were starting to believe he was going to be earning a nice payday in the offseason. Now it seems that he has gone back to the same old Moore that Steelers fans have watched the last three seasons. If the Steelers have hopes of not just winning their last regular season game, but make a deep playoff push, it starts with Wilson's blindside.

The two rookies, Mason McCormick and Zach Frazier, have been great additions to the line in their first season. While they have played well overall for the Steelers, they still show their occasional rookie mistakes that result into negative plays. The good news is that these two have been progressing well, which bodes well for the future of the interior line.

While the Steelers' offensive line has been hit hard with injuries to James Daniels and their first round pick Troy Fautanu taken out of the season earlier in the year, these mistakes and struggles still are not excusable. From drive killing penalties and Wilson sacked 10 times in the last three games, this type of production from an offensive line usually doesn't result in wins. 

The Steelers haven't been able to catch a break when it comes to offensive line struggles. First, Broderick Jones was the issue, making boneheaded penalties and mistakes that would get him pulled from the starting right tackle position back in Week 2 against the Denver Broncos. Now it seems the bad play is coming from the other side of the line. 

While it doesn't solve their issues this season, the future is bright with this unit. With a young core and with the potential of Jones going back to his natural position on the left side, the big issue within the offense turns into a strength next season.

Steelers Need The Offensive Line To Wake Up Before It's Too Late

The Steelers can point to the root of their three-game skid offensively to the line play. With the just one game left in the regular season, if they can't show some type of improvement against the Cincinnati Bengals, it could be full panic mode for the Steelers. Pittsburgh wants to control a little of their destiny when it comes to the playoffs. 

If the Baltimore Ravens lose to the Cleveland Browns, then the Steelers would be playing for the third seed. Even if the Ravens win, Pittsburgh would want to wrap up the fifth seed and travel to a Houston Texans team that is decimated with injuries. While the Steelers have their seat in the playoffs, it won't mean a thing if they can't score points against whoever they play and it starts with protecting Wilson.

Do you think the Steelers' offensive struggles stem solely from the line? Do you think the coaching staff can fix their issues before the playoffs? Let us know what you think in the comments below!

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