Early last week, I was interviewed by a Cleveland CBS affiliate regarding Monday's Steelers-Browns game, and was asked a simple question: Did I think Kenny Pickett would have a bounceback game? At the time, I assumed Pickett wouldn't be THE reason the Steelers lost, were they to fall at Acrisure Stadium to the Browns. But Pickett and the Pittsburgh offense sure did try.
In a game where the Cleveland Browns lost Nick Chubb likely for the season, Pittsburgh struggled to come away with a home victory thanks to some miserable play on the offensive side of the ball. Pittsburgh's defense scored two touchdowns of their own, yet Mike Tomlin's group only won by less than a TD.
Despite the victory, Tomlin and the Steelers coaching staff should expect to face some tough questions. Namely, what changes will Pittsburgh make to ensure they don't have a third straight horrendous offensive performance?
NFL Rumors: Steelers should consider a quarterback change
I hate saying it as much as any Pittsburgh supporter, but could Mitch Trubisky be that much worse than Kenny Pickett? Through the better part of a season-plus, Pickett has yet to prove he can go through his progressions on a consistent basis. As much as fans like to blame Matt Canada, Pickett has looked just as bad through two games, and frankly most of his career so far as Steelers starter.
Several game-winning drives have saved Pickett from facing the tough questions, but fans are starting to lose patience. Until Pickett can move the chains consistently, expect the boos to continue at Acrisure Stadium.
Pittsburgh's depth chart is loaded with veterans behind Pickett, such as Trubisky and Mason Rudolph, who both have starting experience. It would take a lot for the Steelers to punt on Pickett's development, but if they continue to struggle to score or move the football, it's something worth considering.
NFL Rumors: Steelers need to make a big offensive line change
Dan Moore isn't cutting it. While facing off against Myles Garrett and a tough Cleveland Browns defensive line was always going to be rough, Moore has the positional flexibility to be moved elsewhere if needed. That's where Pittsburgh should be using him, rather than taking up a spot that should go to first-round selection Broderick Jones.
Garrett and the Browns defensive line ran laps around Moore. Frankly, it was downright tough to watch. As bad as Pickett was at the QB position, Moore and the offensive line was worse in providing time for him to throw. Until that happens, it's tough to evaluate Pickett and Matt Canada's offense, since we don't really see it in motion at a consistent clip.
Jones is a first-round selection for a reason. Moore competed well in training camp and earned his starting spot. Jones, meanwhile, has some learning to do. But if Moore is going to give up this many QB pressures, then can't Jones at the very least learn on the job and provide some upside? Surely it can't get worse.
NFL Rumors: When are the Steelers going to fire Matt Canada?
Eventually, the Steelers offense is going to have to do something -- anything -- to take the pressure off their defense, which scored 14 points for Matt Canada on Monday night. Canada's teams have yet to register over 400 yards total during his career as Pittsburgh's offensive coordinator. At some point, Tomlin needs to look at the man in charge of his play-calling, rather than giving Canada the benefit of the doubt, repeatedly.
When the Steelers offense had a chance to clinch the game on their own accord, Canada made one of his worst play-calls of the night. Steelers fans responded with a 'Fire Canada' chant that could be heard on the live broadcast, and surely by Tomlin and the man himself. The Pickett QB sneak was not well executed, but it was also a garbage play call, and not one a professional offense should be running at this level. This isn't Maryland, or Pitt, or anywhere else Canada has miracuously failed upward in.
I am not trying to blame Canada for this entire mess. Surely, some of it is on the players, specifically Pickett and the offensive line, who continue to come up short in big moments. By now, though, enough players have come and gone from Pittsburgh. Canada is the common denominator the last three years.
His offense is tough to watch, and he's resistant to change. Perhaps what must change is the man in charge, after all.
