Another week, another frustrating offensive output for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Falling 13-35 to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Mike Tomlin's team has now dropped to 2-6 entering their much needed bye week. You could see the frustrating body language from several players in black and gold on the sidelines at Lincoln Financial Field throughout the day, as the Steelers failed again to put up multiple touchdowns in one game. Rookie quarterback, Kenny Pickett went 25/38 for 191 yards passing, with 1 interception late in the second half.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, Kenny Pickett (#8) drops back for a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on Oct. 30, 2022 in Philadelphia, PA. | Abigail Dean / Pittsburgh Steelers
Following the game, Pickett spoke to the media and was visibly frustrated with the continued lack of productivity on offense:
"Something's gotta change, right? It's insane to keep doing the same thing over and over again and expect something different," Pickett explained. "And we've been having these problems all year. So that has to get changed. That has to get fixed."
Pickett is most likely alluding to the offensive scheme and gameplan, led by offensive coordinator, Matt Canada. Pickett also mentioned being better with his decision making and delivery, along with the inexcusable ongoing penalties:
"I'm more frustrated with the penalties and the mental stuff that we're not doing offensively. You can't do it at this level, get behind the sticks, and we have opportunity to make big plays and we don't because of penalties and things that we can control.""Guys need to know what they're doing. We need to study more. I don't think we study enough as a group. There's way too many penalties and stuff like that, which we can control. It's all mental. For that to happen, there's really no excuse for that."
The Pittsburgh Steelers offense takes the field during a regular season game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Oct. 30, 2022 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA | Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Pickett was clear that there aren't "talent issues" with this team, and that most of the problems the offense is experiencing are all things that they can personally be better at:
"We gotta know what we're doing. Not getting in the right spot. Not having some procedural penalties, personnel in and out of the huddle, all things we can control. There's no talent issues."
The frustration in and out of the locker room seems to be at an all-time high and the elephant in the room continues to be Canada. Pittsburgh currently ranks in the bottom half of the league in touchdowns, total passing yards, total rushing yards, first downs, and turnover ratio.
Steeler Nation is hopeful the reigning 2021 AP Defensive Player of the Year, TJ Watt, will return to the field after the bye week, as well as a much needed change at offensive coordinator. Many believe that things will begin to turn for this young team once those two variables are addressed.
Watch the full interview from Pickett here:
Kenny Pickett speaks to the media: pic.twitter.com/IgK8BbGf55
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 30, 2022
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