The Pittsburgh Steelers lost in embarrassing fashion on Sunday in Orchard Park to the Buffalo Bills, 38-3. The Steelers lost in every phase of the game, and it was over early. The opening kickoff was bobbled and the black and gold looked to be in great position. The first two offensive plays of the game were a competitive battle between the Steelers and the Bills. Then on the third play from scrimmage, Josh Allen found Gabriel Davis for 98 yards and the game was over.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
The two teams played the other 58 minutes because the NFL sold a lot of advertising and Kenny Pickett was making his debut, but the offense sputtered most of the day. The Steelers have an outstanding wide receiver group, you ask them, they will tell you. Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool are powerful weapons that were drafted by Kevin Colbert and the black and gold are great at drafting and developing wide receivers. It's a popular trope nationally, but at this point, that is all it is, a trope.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Johnson has only been credited with two drops after five games according to Fox Sports, but it seems like a lot more. He has made a couple of incredible catches, but he has been a drive killer when the Steelers have needed him the most. Sunday afternoon before the game got completely out of hand, the offense was driving down 10-3 when Pickett broke the pocket and delivered a catchable ball that went right through the Pro Bowl wide receiver’s hands. The Steelers were forced to punt, and the Bills capitalized shortly thereafter.
Claypool had a dynamic rookie year for Pittsburgh, but has been missing in action since. He cannot keep his feet when he jumps, he rarely comes down with contested catches and after drawing the CBS number one commentary team of Jim Nantz and Tony Romo, it did not go unnoticed. Late in the game, Romo pointed out his shortcomings:
“Chase Claypool, who I think could be a monster,” Romo observed. “Claypool has got all the physical attributes, I just see him not being quarterback-friendly enough times, that hurts the (offensive) play. That should have been an easy catch, that’s on Claypool.”
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
It was 38-3 at that point, but the analysis was a microcosm of the career of the former Notre Dame product. His talent is apparent, but he seems destined for the scrap heap after five games of his third season. The Steelers had hoped he was Martavis Bryant without the off-field issues, but it may be time to admit, he is more like Limas Sweed than Bryant.
Claypool and Johnson have not suddenly lost the talent that makes them dangerous weapons, but they have lost concentration. In Claypool’s case, that may be unfair, he never really had it. However, the Steelers offense has been left in the bumbling hands of Randy Fichtner and Matt Canada for the last three seasons. Respect for Ben Roethlisberger seemed to keep Johnson working, but when you receive bad coaching for multiple seasons, it is hard for players to stay focused on the millions of dollars they are earning. It's not all about the money, when it comes to performance.
Should this have been ruled a catch? 🧐 pic.twitter.com/QC4Upr4OBH
— PFF PIT Steelers (@PFF_Steelers) October 9, 2022
Pickett threw for 327 yards in his debut as a starter and staked a permanent claim on the starting job this afternoon despite the drubbing by the Bills. His fellow rookie George Pickens has only been exposed to the current staff for a short time and after two games with Pickett, it is not inconsequential that he has emerged as the number one option for the Steelers. They desperately need Johnson to get his Pro Bowl talent back on track, but Calvin Austin III is lurking in the background and seems very close to returning to the field.
Maybe it is time to see what he can do in the slot and let Claypool watch a few games from the sidelines. The wide receiver room is supposed to be a strength and at this point, addition by subtraction should be on the table.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Are the Steelers wideouts besides Pickens overrated? Please comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.com.
