The Pittsburgh Steelers managed to score 23 points on Sunday afternoon in a crazy first game of the season as the team defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in an overtime thriller. The offense was only responsible for 16 of those points, however, as Minkah Fitzpatrick had a pick-6 early in the first quarter of the matchup. The offensive unit looked completely out of sync and while it was only the first game of the year with a ton of new personnel, offensive coordinator, Matt Canada's group looked unprepared. The team mustered up only 267 yards of total offense and were dominated in time of possession, 43:43 to 26:17.
Steelers offensive coordinator, Matt Canada (left) and starting quarterback, Mitch Trubisky (right) on the field prior to a 2022 preseason matchup at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Free agent signing and starting quarterback, Mitch Trubisky was far from perfect in his debut wearing the black and gold. He was 21/38 for 194 yards and a touchdown. Trubisky did make some great plays on the game-winning drive in overtime. He found Pat Freiermuth twice for 36 total yards which set up what would be the game-winning field goal by Chris Boswell.
A very stagnant offense on Sunday was reminiscent of a year ago when now-retired quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had limitations as to what he could do on the field. Sure, there were a couple of trick plays that worked because of a nice throw from Trubisky on a flea-flicker and Chase Claypool's speed, but everything else looked much of the same. That is not a Trubisky issue, but rather, a Canada one.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver, Chase Claypool warming up prior to a 2022 preseason matchup at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
The main reason there were a couple of big gains was Trubisky's ability to extend the play. The big 26-yard pass to Freiermuth in overtime looked like a dead play until the signal-caller ran around throughout the pocket and found his tight end over the middle of the field. Trubisky seemed to be escaping pressure and running around the entire game. The offensive line didn't do him many favors, but the play-calling was questionable once again.
If the Steelers are going to make the playoffs in 2022, the offensive side of the ball needs to be more explosive. Now that T.J. Watt could be out for a majority of, or the entire season, Canada's group needs to pick up the slack and it starts with him. This doesn't land on Trubisky and the reason is because Canada has refused to utilize the rushing attack in his first two seasons in Pittsburgh.
Sure, Najee Harris rushed for 1,200 yards a year ago, but averaged a brutal 3.9 yards per carry. The offensive line will get better in run blocking if they are doing it consistently. Take what the Philadelphia Eagles did Sunday for example. Jalen Hurts threw the ball six less times than Trubisky, but had 49 more yards in the air than the Steelers' quarterback. Pair that with Miles Sanders ability to run the ball and average 7.4 yards per carry and it's a recipe for success.
Steelers running back, Najee Harris (#22) on the field during 2022 training camp. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Trubisky isn't as feared running the ball as Hurts is, but opening up some running lanes to then use play-action, which has been nonexistent the past two years for Pittsburgh, could open up the offense significantly. The poor play offensively is way more on Canada than Trubisky. He needs to commit to the rushing attack. If not, teams will sit back like the Bengals did on Sunday and make it hard for a Steelers' quarterback to find an open receiver.
Harris' 10 rushes for 23 yards along with Jaylen Warren's three carries for seven yards will lead to a frustrating season for whoever is at quarterback. Getting Claypool involved in the run game was the only thing Canada did right Sunday afternoon.
Are you faulting Canada or Trubisky for the Week 1 offensive struggles? Let us know in the comments below!
Coming to the Steelers home opener against the Patriots? Come tailgate with us! All you can drink and eat. Click here.
#SteelerNation
