Steelers Fans Get Revealing Truth On Why Team's New Wide Receivers Get More Playing Time Than Younger Players

The Pittsburgh Steelers emerged victorious in one of their best games of the season, defeating the Miami Dolphins 28-15 in a contest where the team finally seemed to click on both sides of the ball. Most notably, however, was how well the offense played and how explosive the unit looked at certain points throughout the game, with the team seeming to fully unlock the talent they had all along and putting up a masterful display. They had 336 total yards of offense as the Steelers took control of the AFC North with three weeks left in the regular season.

Ahead of a pivotal matchup against the Detroit Lions this coming Sunday, there are still plenty of questions to answer about the offense. Within the game against the Dolphins, Steelers wide receivers Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling made significant impacts on the field, with Valdes-Scantling bringing in a touchdown during the third quarter. 

Their performances come at a time when younger Steelers wide receivers Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson are seeing next to no snaps on the field, with Wilson having been a healthy scratch the last two weeks. Even with Wilson making the best of the situation while he's on the bench, many still wonder exactly what's going on with their lack of playtime compared to Thielen and Valdes-Scantling of late.

Earlier on Thursday, Ray Fittipaldo made a guest appearance on 93.7 The Fan to discuss the Steelers and their plans for the rest of the season. When asked about what he believes is the reason the offense has looked better the last two weeks, Fittipaldo gave an answer that also reveals why Austin and Wilson are seeing less snaps.

"I think it's more along the lines of playing with other seasoned pros, who are on the same page and know how to play a certain way," Fittipaldo said. "Unfortunately for Roman Wilson and Calvin Austin, they don't have that experience, so it was hard for them to really get on the same page with Aaron. I will say one thing -- it's gonna stay this way for the rest of the season. Thielen and MVS are gonna play. But one byproduct of this that I think can be good, potentially, for this receiver room, is Calvin and Roman being around two other veterans. That's not to say DK [Metcalf] wasn't a good mentor, I'm sure he is, but those guys have been around a long time. Those guys know how to walk on their craft."

Fittipaldo's comments on why Austin and Wilson are not seeing the field as much also show the positives as to what Thielen and Valdes-Scantling bring to the team outside of consistent play on the field. The mentorship the two can bring to the younger receivers is invaluable for the future, but the bigger question remains, that being why Wilson and Austin have been unable to get on the same page with Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. 

Even if the Steelers continue to give Wilson and Austin much less playing time compared to the veteran additions in Thielen and Valdes-Scantling, the Steelers are still able to solve a massive issue with the impact that the two veterans have made since their arrival in Pittsburgh. Solving this issue with the two veterans also has the potential to inspire confidence in Austin and Wilson to make them better receivers in the future.

Steelers Gain Consistent Play On Offense With Veteran Playmakers

The Steelers' offense has looked significantly better since the arrival of Thielen and Valdes-Scantling, and this is due to how much more consistent the offense is able to be with them on the field. Should the Steelers advance into the playoffs, the team will need more of this level of play from the offense if they want to win their first playoff game since the 2016 NFL season.

What did you think about Fittipaldo's comments on why the younger receivers aren't seeing the field? Let us know in the comments below.

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