Steelers’ Offensive Performance Against Falcons Sheds Light On Critical Mistake Made By Front Office

The Pittsburgh Steelers have operated a little bit differently at an executive level ever since Omar Khan was promoted to be the team's new general manager in 2022. Moves by the franchise have been a little less predictable and the front office has been open to making some uncharacteristic external moves, such as signing Patrick Queen to the largest free agent contract in the organization's history. Many believed Khan would live up to his early reputation again as the summer progressed. Pittsburgh needed some reinforcements at wide receiver, but a trade, particularly for San Francisco 49ers' Brandon Aiyuk, never materialized.

Aiyuk proved to be rusty after missing pretty much all of training camp in the 49ers' season opener against the New York Jets on Monday night. He only hauled in two catches for 28 yards. Despite this, it's hard to deny that he wouldn't have been a massive acquisition. Overall, even if it wasn't Aiyuk who was traded for, the Steelers proved in Week 1 against the Falcons that the position remains a massive concern.

Anyone with any kind of knowledge about football understood that George Pickens was going to be the team's top option in the passing game. He had six catches for 85 yards versus the Atlanta Falcons and was Justin Fields' favorite target, by far. Pat Freiermuth contributed with four receptions for 27 yards. Aside from that, every other pass-catcher was pretty much irrelevant.

The Falcons are still finding their footing after an offseason of big change, but a more established, prepared team moving forward can take Pickens out of the game rather easily. That's not to take anything away from the third-year wideout, but he will see an absurd amount of double teams and other looks moving forward after the Steelers showed their hand in Week 1; Pickens is the focal point of the passing game.

Pickens has absolute star potential and he proved that once again on Sunday, but based on the offensive approach and the inability to find the end zone, it felt like more of the same for Pittsburgh. Having one more true play-maker running routes could make all the difference for the unit, specifically when it comes to big plays and putting points on the board.

Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin III were pretty much nonexistent, and if Roman Wilson returns from injury and can't have an immediate impact, Khan could be criticized for not making some kind of move, whether it for Aiyuk or another wide receiver that could have stepped in and contributed right away. It helps his cause that the team seems to be set on running the football and play-action, which was expected, but it doesn't provide comfort in knowing a tight end is your second option.

Many expected Freiermuth to step in and have a big impact given the fact that Arthur Smith has always enjoyed featuring a tight end in his offenses. However, it seems as if the team may have dropped the ball a bit at wide receiver. The group seems solid and everyone understands his role, but the group is one unfortunate injury away from completely losing any passing identity that it may have bought into throughout the summer and preseason.

Steelers Could Be Extremely Active At Trade Deadline

Pittsburgh's first half of the schedule in 2024 is much easier than the backend. It will be crucial to start the first couple of months with half a dozen wins or so to make the home stretch a bit less stressful as the winter comes along. Khan wasn't able to finalize a deal to bring in another threat in the passing game for months, but that doesn't mean he won't be on the phone if the organization feels as if it can contend deep into January. Time will tell if Khan stays aggressive and unpredictable.

Do you think that the Steelers needed to trade for another receiving threat in the offseason? Let us know in the comments below!

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