The Pittsburgh Steelers head into Week 4 with a 1-2 record, but we all know what the storylines of the Steelers season have been so far. The major one is a lackadaisical offense ranking in the bottom third of the league in every statistical category because of its atrocious offensive play calling and subpar quarterback play.
Yes, a defense (clearly) missing its best player these last two weeks is one of the main reasons for this two-game skid, but it is hard to win games when the team is relying so heavily on the defense and when the defense is on the field for much longer periods of time than the offense.
The offense is averaging 24 minutes and 15 seconds of possession time per game, which is among the shortest in the league. Conversely, the Steelers' defense has been on the field longer than any other team. That is due to the Steelers going three-and-out on nearly one-third of their possessions. To top it off, 5.3 plays per drive ranks 27th in the league and 24.3 net yards per drive ranks 31st in the league as well. It's unacceptable, really.
CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 22: Mitch Trubisky #10 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs off the field during the second half against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 22, 2022, in Cleveland, Ohio / Credit: Nick Cammett / Diamond Images via Getty Images
Steelers fans want change. Even people on the outside of SteelerNation want change just so the on-the-field product is better to watch. Oh, how do we long for the days of the Killer B's. I, for one, took that offense for granted. A lot of Steelers fans did.
The call for change has been strong on social media from Steeler fans, former players, and analysts alike. Any change. But what will come first, a coordinator change or quarterback change?
What Steelers Offensive Change Comes First: Coordinator or Quarterback?
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin has been adamant about his confidence in Mitch Trubisky and reportedly has no plans on making a change at quarterback. While this certainly gives doubt to any quarterback change anytime soon, I attribute a press comment like this more to keeping confidence in the public eye in the starting quarterback rather than actually saying there is no chance for a change. It is natural for the coaches and team officials to be considering Kenny Pickett, as there was a first-round pick invested in him and they clearly think he is the future of the team.
CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 22: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on during the first half against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 22, 2022, in Cleveland, Ohio / Credit: Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images
But, the offensive coordinator position may be different. There have been multiple reports that Steelers players have grown frustrated with the play-calling from Matt Canada and want him gone. While this may look like a more likely scenario because of reports like these, I doubt this will happen.
Watching this offense led by Trubisky has been flat-out awful, and while you can absolutely blame coordinator Matt Canada for poor play-calling, Trubisky has shown that he has trouble making the correct reads, knowing what the defense is showing him and getting the ball to the plethora of playmakers that the Steelers have.
This is why I believe that Trubisky getting benched for Pickett will happen first. Mike Tomlin has NEVER fired a coordinator mid-season in his entire coaching career, and the Steelers are not a franchise that operates like that. Offensive play-calling could eventually be handed over to someone else in the coaching staff (which could constitute a change in some peoples' eyes), but if Trubisky continues to show that he has limitations in his game and the Steelers continue to lose, the trigger could be pulled on Pickett sooner rather than later.
What do you think, SteelerNation? Which change will come first, a coordinator firing or a quarterback change? Would either of these two things help the offense? Let me know in the comments or @anthonyravasio on Twitter.
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