The Pittsburgh Steelers have assembled a nice collection of young weapons on the offensive side of the ball in the last couple of drafts, but one team insider says that offensive coordinator, Matt Canada needs to open up the playbook and let its play-makers, especially Kenny Pickett in year two, try to win games in 2023.
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Steelers second-year wide receiver George Pickens is expected to take a big leap in year two, but will need Matt Canada to devise a plan that maximizes his talent for that to happen.
The numbers painted a very sad story for the unit under Canada in year two, but improvement down the stretch and continuity at the play-caller position for their young quarterback will give the longtime former college coach another chance to show he can get the best out of the likes of George Pickens, Diontae Johnson, Pat Freiermuth, and Najee Harris.
Mark Kaboly of The Athletic has been covering the team for two decades and recently joined The Pat McAfee Show from beside a dumpster at the league's annual meetings in Arizona to provide an update on Pittsburgh's offseason so far. The veteran writer's biggest remaining question starts and ends with the game plan put forward by Canada in year three.
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Steelers insider Mark Kaboly (middle) joins Pat McAfee (left) and AJ Hawk (right) from the league meetings in Arizona.
"To me, it's the offensive coordinator and how the offense runs, Kaboly said. "It wasn't allowed to come together last year because of how Pickett was sort of hamstrung with his development early in camp. I need to see Matt Canada come out and say, 'You know what? Everything in this playbook is yours.'"
Steelers Need A Change In Game Plan
Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers QB Kenny Pickett throws a pass vs Las Vegas Raiders.
The Steelers needed Pickett to come up big in the last two minutes of games against the Las Vegas Raiders and Baltimore Ravens to keep their faint playoff hopes alive and Kaboly believes that what the young quarterback showed in those moments should give the coaching staff the confidence to take the training wheels off in year two.
"What we saw in those final two minutes against the Raiders and the Ravens, you do that the entire game," Kaboly said about how the team should approach the offense next year. "Let's not try not to lose and I think [Pickett] is capable of doing that."
Now there are some questions as to how much influence head coach Mike Tomlin has on the conservative nature of the offense in wanting to run the ball and just let the defense do its job, but scoring 12 passing touchdowns all season can't be acceptable in 2023. The other key for the Steelers offense to take steps with Pickett in year two is the upgrades to the offensive line. Kaboly likes the additions of Super Bowl-winning guard Isaac Suemalo and Nate Herbig, but still needs to see that unit improve in 2023.
"I want to see them open it up and put some points on the board. They only scored more than two touchdowns twice last year and you can't win games consistently like that," he said. "I need to see the offensive line play better and I need to see Matt Canada let Kenny Pickett be Kenny Pickett."
Canada was given a pass for year one due to having Ben Roethlisberger on his last legs and he can hide behind the roller coaster of switching between Pickett and Mitch Trubisky in year two. In year three however, the built-in excuses are gone. The starting quarterback is no longer a question, the team upgraded the offensive line and has play-makers at every position. He's been gifted another chance by the organization now to show he can get the best out of Pittsburgh's young offensive core.
So, Steeler Nation, do you think Matt Canada will open up the playbook in 2023? What would you like to see the team do on offense next year? Let us know in the comments or on social media.
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