The last time the Pittsburgh Steelers didn't have a touchdown by a wide receiver three weeks into the season was when Bill Cowher was the head coach, Kordell Stewart was the starting quarterback and the team won the AFC Central with a 13-3 record.
This is the first time since 2001 that the #Steelers have not had a wide receiver score a touchdown in the first 3 weeks of a season.
— Josh Rowntree (@JRown32) September 28, 2022
They went 13-3 and made the AFC Championship that year. @937theFan
Mitchell Trubisky has a pair of passing touchdowns on the year. He connected with Najee Harris from a yard out in Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals for the Steelers' first offensive TD of the year. In the home opener, the former Chicago Bears' second overall pick in 2107 found Pat Freiermuth in the endzone, against the New England Patriots, on a 3rd and 4 at the Patriots' eight-yard line in the home opener. Trubisky connected with Diontae Johnson on the two-point conversion after the score by Freiermuth on the only scoring play by a wide receiver so far this season.
The Steelers offense has been poor so far and according to Josh Rowntree of 93.7 The Fan, there is frustration among the Steelers players about offensive coordinator Matt Canada and "a strong sense" that some want him fired. The calls for Kenny Pickett, the Steelers 2022 first-round pick, to replace Trubisky have come from both the stands and legendary Steelers in the media.
Steelers Talented Pass Catchers
There is no denying the talent of the players in the top three wide receiver spots on the depth chart. The struggle to find the endzone for the Steelers group is disappointing given some of the catches Steelers fans have witnessed from Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, and George Pickens.
"It's on us to make the plays and on the coaches to put us in the right spot and get us open," Diontae Johnson said via Joe Rutter of TribLive. "I feel like they've been doing that and we've got to play. If we can make the plays this offense will come together."
Johnson managed over 1,000 yards for the first time in his career last season earning him Pro Bowl honors. The 26-year-old out of Toledo was selected with a 2017 3rd-round pick acquired by the Steelers in the Antonio Brown trade and made a big-money contract back in August. He's shown off what a talented player he can be this year, specifically in overtime against the Bengals in Week 1.
Claypool was a touchdown machine in his first year but his trips to the endzone have dipped significantly in his sophomore year. The 24-year-old they call "Mapletron" didn't get that nickname for nothing. Against the Bengals in Week 1, the Canadian led the team in rushing and made a fantastic play stretching one arm out to grab the ball with one hand.
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie wide receiver, George Pickens (#14) makes an extraordinary catch against the Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sept. 22, 2022. | Credit: Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Speaking of one-handed grabs comes George Pickens and his Odel Beckham Jr.-like catch against the Cleveland Browns. Steelers captain Cameron Heyward said the 21-year-old wideout helps to energize the team with his playmaking ability. The rookie receiver from the University of Georgia was Trubisky's second most targeted receiver after Johnson against the Browns on Thursday Night Football as the Steelers try to incorporate their newest weapon into the gameplan.
"That meant a lot," Pickens said to Teresa Varley of Steelers.com about having OBJ comment on his catch. "Stuff like that means more to me because that's my favorite player. One of my favorite players in terms of catching crazy stuff. He can catch anything."
So, Steeler Nation, how do you think the Steelers can better utilize their three talented pass catchers? What are some catches from the season that have stood out to you? As always, you can let us know in the comment section below or on our social media.
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