Steelers Center Mason Cole Details Why Execution, Not Play-Calling, Is The Reason Why The Offense Has Struggled In 2023

The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves with a record of 1-1 following a victory against the Cleveland Browns in their second game of the 2023 season. The team will undoubtedly take a win against a divisional foe by any means necessary, but there is no denying that there is serious work to be done on the offensive side of the ball. While many are quick to place the blame on the shoulders of Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada, or quarterback, Kenny Pickett, the level of play from the Steelers' offensive line also deserves to be mentioned. If the black and gold want any hope of revitalizing the magic they had in the 2023 preseason, the big men up front need to turn things around, and quickly. 

The Steelers' front office has invested heavily into the offensive line over the course of the past two offseasons, including signing Mason Cole and James Daniels in 202, as well as bringing in Isaac Seumalo, Nate Herbig, and Broderick Jones in 2023. It was widely believed that this unit would be a strength of the team and would allow for Pickett to distribute the football to the teams' immensely talented group of skill position players. Thus far, this has not been the case. 

Cole recently discussed how the struggles offensively have little to do with the plays being called, but rather the offensive line's inability to execute at the level in which they are fully capable.

"We're just not executing. It's not schematics. It's not play-calling, it's none of that. We're not blocking the guys. We're not making the throws. We're not making the reads. We're just not executing at a high level, especially early in the games," said Cole. 

Steelers' Offensive Line Still Has Time To Improve In 2023

Interestingly enough, the Steelers' offensive line started off slow in 2022 as well. It was not until the second half of this past season until the unit was giving Pickett the necessary time to throw the ball and creating holes in the run game for Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. Could the group simply be following a similar path in 2023? Quite possible, as Seumalo is likely still adjusting to a new offense after spending the first seven years of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles. 

Excuses do not mean much at the professional level, but it should at least be taken into consideration that the Steelers have gone up against two of the better defensive fronts in the NFL during their first two contests of the 2023 campaign. Optimistically speaking, the offensive line will have a golden opportunity to get right in Week 3 against a Las Vegas Raiders defense that gave up 450 total yards, including 183 on the ground to the Buffalo Bills in Week 2.

Improved Offensive Line Play May Prove To Have A Domino Effect On Steelers Offense

Needless to say, the Steelers' play-calling has been absolutely abysmal in the team's first two games this season. Furthermore, Pickett is struggling to take command of an offense that has no shortage of firepower at running back, wide receiver, and tight end. While it will ultimately be up to Canada and Pickett to resolve these issues, improved play from the offensive line would tremendously help the offense gain some much needed traction in making big-time plays. 

If Harris and Warren get going running the ball, play-action is more effectively used. If play-action is implemented, the chances of getting George Pickens opportunities down the field and Pat Freiermuth chances in the middle of the field increase substantially. Not only would this allow for Canada to expand the playbook, but it would also make life much more easy for the Steelers' young signal-caller. 

The time has come for the offensive line to step up and help the team break free of the struggles they have experienced in Weeks 1 and 2. The Steelers desperately need to show that things are trending in the right direction if they hope to compete for an AFC North title in 2023. 

Thoughts, Steeler Nation? 

What do you make of Cole's comments about the Steelers offense? Do you expect the group to perform better in Week 3? How confident are you that this team can win the AFC North in 2023? Be sure to let us know in the comments! 

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