In a recent article on ESPN.com, Bill Barnwell expresses his concerns about the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive scheme and whether it is capable of success regardless of who is the signal caller. The highly anticipated 2023 season was expected to showcase significant progress for the Steelers’ offense, but instead, they have regressed. Second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett has struggled, the running game lacks effectiveness, and the overall offensive scheme appears unimaginative and predictable. Barnwell questions whether the coaching staff and the team’s offensive system have the necessary components to thrive moving forward, especially with Pickett’s recent knee injury.
The Steelers Offense So Far
The Pittsburgh Steelers entered the 2023 season with high expectations for their offense. Second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett was expected to take a significant leap forward, the run game was anticipated to be dominant, and offensive coordinator Matt Canada was expected to bring a fresh and innovative scheme. However, through the first four games of the season, the Steelers’ offense has struggled in multiple areas.
Struggles of Kenny Pickett
Kenny Pickett, the young quarterback who showed promise in his rookie season, has regressed this year. He has displayed a lack of pocket awareness, often appearing lost on the field. Pickett has also been turning the ball over at an alarming rate. His performance has been a major concern for the Steelers’ offense.
Issues with the run game
The run game, which was expected to be a dominant force for the Steelers, has been largely ineffective. The offensive line has struggled to create openings for the running backs, resulting in a stagnant ground attack. Additionally, the running backs have failed to generate much yardage after contact. The lack of success in the run game has put additional pressure on the passing game.
Unimpressive route concepts and scheme
One of the criticisms of offensive coordinator Matt Canada has been the unimpressive route concepts and predictable scheme employed by the Steelers. The offense has lacked creativity and the ability to stress opposing defenses. The lack of effective scheme and route concepts has hindered the offense’s ability to move the ball consistently and score points.
Bill Barnwell’s Concerns
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell has expressed concerns about the Steelers’ offense and their ability to succeed regardless of the quarterback at the helm. He points to Kenny Pickett’s low success rate, which measures how often a quarterback keeps the offense on schedule to score points. Pickett’s success rate has been one of the worst in the league. Barnwell also questions the coaching staff’s ability to support Pickett and the offense, further raising doubts about the team’s infrastructure.
Kenny Pickett’s low success rate
Barnwell highlights Kenny Pickett’s low success rate as a significant issue for the Steelers’ offense. Pickett has struggled to keep the offense on schedule and generate consistent scoring opportunities. The low success rate is a reflection of Pickett’s struggles and raises concerns about his ability to lead the offense effectively.
Lack of help from the coaching staff
Another concern raised by Barnwell is the lack of support from the coaching staff. He suggests that offensive coordinator Matt Canada is not providing Pickett with creative route concepts and easy completions. The coaching staff’s inability to help the struggling offense has further compounded the team’s offensive woes.
Questioning the team’s infrastructure
Barnwell ultimately questions whether the Steelers have the infrastructure to succeed offensively, regardless of who is at quarterback. He points to the upcoming bye week, which could potentially see the return of wide receiver Diontae Johnson from injury. However, the absence of key players, such as defensive end Cameron Heyward, and the uncertainty surrounding the quarterback position raises doubts about the team’s ability to succeed moving forward.
The Decision to Stick with Matt Canada
Despite the poor offensive performance in the first four games of the season, the Steelers made the decision to stick with Matt Canada as their offensive coordinator. This decision has been met with criticism, as the offense has shown no signs of improvement.
Poor offensive performance despite late-season success
Towards the end of the previous season, Kenny Pickett showed promise by leading the Steelers to a 7-2 record down the stretch. However, the offense struggled for large parts of the season and only came alive when a few plays were needed. Despite this, the Steelers chose to retain Canada for another year, a decision that has been called into question given the team’s current offensive struggles.
The consequences of the wrong choice
The decision to stick with Matt Canada despite the poor offensive performance has had dire consequences for the Steelers. The offense has not improved, and things have actually gotten worse. Even with Pickett’s injury sidelining him for a few weeks, the Steelers’ offensive issues cannot be fixed by simply replacing the quarterback. The overall infrastructure of the offense is crumbling, and the decision to retain Canada has contributed to this decline.
The Future Without Pickett
With Kenny Pickett’s injury potentially sidelining him for some time, the Steelers face an uncertain future without their young quarterback.
Inability to fix offensive problems
The absence of Pickett does not solve the Steelers’ offensive problems. Even with alternative options at quarterback, such as Mitch Trubisky or Mason Rudolph, the issues with the offensive line, run game, and scheme remain. The lack of consistent success on offense points to deeper-rooted problems within the team.
Cratering infrastructure
The state of the Steelers’ offense indicates a significant decline in the infrastructure of the team. The struggles on the field reflect poorly on the coaching staff and decision-makers responsible for building the offense. The decline in infrastructure poses long-term challenges for the team’s ability to compete and succeed.
Blaming the top decision-makers
The responsibility for the Steelers’ offensive struggles ultimately rests on the shoulders of the top decision-makers. Whether it is the coaching staff or the front office, the failures of the offense point to a lack of proper planning and execution. Blaming those in charge becomes necessary to address the issues and make the necessary changes to improve the team.
Adam Schefter’s Perspective
ESPN’s Adam Schefter also weighs in on the Steelers’ offensive situation, expressing concerns about the team’s ability to make changes and improve.
Questions about potential offensive changes
Schefter raises questions about the potential changes the Steelers could make to their offense. With limited options at quarterback and a struggling offensive line, it becomes challenging to identify the changes that can bring about improvement. The lack of flexibility in the current situation hampers the team’s ability to make meaningful adjustments.
Feeling stuck in the current situation
Schefter’s perspective aligns with Barnwell’s concerns about the Steelers being “stuck” in their current predicament. With limited personnel changes and structural issues within the offense, the team faces significant challenges in turning their season around. The feeling of being “stuck” further highlights the magnitude of the problems the Steelers are facing.
Conclusion
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense has struggled in multiple areas during the first four games of the 2023 season. Kenny Pickett’s regression, issues with the run game, and unimpressive route concepts and scheme have all contributed to the team’s offensive woes. ESPN analysts Bill Barnwell and Adam Schefter have expressed concerns about the team’s infrastructure and ability to make meaningful changes to improve the offense. The decision to stick with offensive coordinator Matt Canada has had negative consequences, and the future without Pickett appears grim. The Steelers face significant challenges in fixing their offensive problems and rebuilding their infrastructure to succeed moving forward.