The Pittsburgh Steelers found themselves in a disheartening situation on Sunday, succumbing to a 13-10 loss against the Cleveland Browns. For this struggling Steelers offense, the age-old saying "it can't get much worse" is a fallacy. In the realm of football woes, the potential for deterioration is ever-present, and this past Sunday's performance against the Browns proved just how dire the situation has become. This has inevitably led to the firing of Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada.
Ken Blaze / USA TODAY Sports
Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett gets sacked during game against the Cleveland Browns.
Alarming Statistics Paint a Bleak Picture
The passing game has been a cause for concern throughout the season. In the spotlight of the criticism stands second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett, who has been under growing scrutiny for his performance this season.
CBS Sports recently highlighted a concerning statistic regarding Pickett's touchdown efficiency.
“Among 315 quarterbacks with 500 pass attempts since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, Pickett stands alone in throwing a touchdown on fewer than 2% of his attempts—a meager 1.9%, to be precise.”
This statistic underscores Pickett's struggles to find the end zone, raising questions about his development and effectiveness within the Steelers' offensive scheme. You simply can’t win a Super Bowl in this day and age of the NFL without the ability to have your quarterback consistently throw touchdown passes.
A Day to Forget Against the Browns
During the game against the Browns, Pickett's shortcomings were glaring. He missed open receivers, appeared uneasy in the pocket, and contributed to the Steelers being outgained for the 10th consecutive week.
If you are saying Kenny Pickett can't make this play and that something else needs to happen for it to work, you don't believe in Kenny Pickett.#Steelers drew up a game-winning TD pass play that every QB in the NFL needs to make. https://t.co/Rfzzi4F5BZ pic.twitter.com/LzK593SmRU
— Christopher Carter (@CarterCritiques) November 20, 2023
The offense's inability to outgain opponents has become a worrying trend, reflecting a lack of offensive prowess and an overreliance on late-game heroics.
The Steelers Offensive Formula
While the Steelers' conservative style of play has yielded success in the past, it failed to deliver against the Browns. The predictable offensive approach, combined with an inability to capitalize on opportunities, left fans frustrated. The formula of relying on the defense and hoping for late-game success proved unsuccessful, and it raises concerns about the team's ability to make a deep playoff run.
While Pickett had a rough game, it’s no doubt that the Steelers coaching staff made massive mistakes as well. The glaring issue is the simple fact that Jaylen Warren only carried the ball nine times. One of which he took 74 yards for a touchdown. If your quarterback is having a rough game, you give the ball to the only dude on offense moving the chains. Canada failed to do that in his last game with the team as OC.
Keith Srakocic / AP
Former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator, Matt Canada seemed to have had the offense slightly improving, but the Steelers need more down the home stretch in 2023.
Pickett's Struggles in Context
Pickett's struggles extend beyond his touchdown efficiency. The quarterback has played in 23 games, throwing only 13 touchdowns against 13 interceptions—a concerning ratio for a team with playoff aspirations. Whether Pickett's difficulties are a result of coaching limitations or his own limitations remains an open question.
CBS Sports Reporter Points to Systemic Issues
Tua Tagovailoa was allegedly a bust… until he worked w/ Mike McDaniel. Brock Purdy allegedly had questionable arm strength… until Kyle Shanahan. CJ Stroud allegedly couldn’t intellectually manage a football field… until Bobby Slowik. You CANNOT judge Kenny Pickett until… https://t.co/BW3y8z00uf
— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) November 21, 2023
CBS Sports reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala weighed in on the debate, suggesting that Pickett's struggles might be rooted in the Steelers' offensive system.
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Steelers Insider Aditi Kinkhabwala.
Kinkhabwala cited examples of other quarterbacks, like Tua Tagovailoa, Brock Purdy, and CJ Stroud, who faced skepticism until they found success in different systems with different coaches.
“Tua Tagovailoa was allegedly a bust… until he worked w/ Mike McDaniel. Brock Purdy allegedly had questionable arm strength… until Kyle Shanahan. CJ Stroud allegedly couldn’t intellectually manage a football field… until Bobby Slowik. You CANNOT judge Kenny Pickett until…”
Is It the System or Pickett?
The debate over whether Pickett's struggles are a consequence of coaching limitations or his own shortcomings remains complex. Pickett's accuracy, decision-making, and vision have all come under scrutiny, and it's challenging to pinpoint the primary source of the problem.
While acknowledging the potential impact of the offensive system on Pickett's performance, it's essential to hold the quarterback accountable for his on-field decisions. The comparison with other quarterbacks thriving in different systems suggests that Pickett may not be a seamless fit within the Steelers' current offensive approach. It’s no doubt that the Steelers failing to feed Warren when he was the only offensive player carrying momentum is a glaring concern. The only way to solve this Pickett or the system question was to fire Canada and give him a new offensive coordinator.
The Road Ahead for Pickett and the Steelers
As the Steelers navigate a challenging stretch of the season, including a crucial matchup against the Jake Browning-led Cincinnati Bengals, the spotlight on Pickett intensifies. Whether he can show signs of progression and lead the team to success will determine his future as the starting quarterback. In a league where success often hinges on adaptability, both Pickett and the coaching staff face the challenge of finding a winning formula that works for the Steelers' offense. Otherwise, the Steelers' playoff hopes hang in jeopardy.
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