Steelers Have a Quarterback Problem
PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers have a quarterback problem. It doesn't mean they do anything drastic about it or that they should make a change in the depth chart/roster. But it's time to acknowledge it's there.
At the end of the 2022 season, Kenny Pickett felt like "the guy" for the Steelers. His comeback efforts and ability to win in tight games was the beginning of a great career where he could lead this team to whatever heights they set for themselves.
During the offseason, we started talking about the Steelers Super Bowl window. How Pickett opened the window, and even if they weren't ready to win a championship this season, their structure gave them optimism that it could happen relatively soon.
The preseason rolled around and that Super Bowl window seemed even larger, and instead of just starting to be in the conversation, the Steelers were in the conversation.
And then, the regular season began, and instantly, we all knew we were wrong.
The magic of the Steelers faded quickly. It's returned to some degree, but the reasoning to hold back is by far the most significant component of a football team.
That component is their quarterback.
Pickett has yet to put together a full game of successful football, and even if he has the winning gene in him, the NFL isn't built for teams like the Kansas City Chiefs or the Philadelphia Eagles - the two teams in last year's Super Bowl - to hang around in a tight game under 20 points.
At some point, the Steelers need an offense that can keep them ahead through four quarters and compete in shootouts with some of the league's best teams.
It appears they've found the ground game to do so. Over the last two weeks, Pittsburgh's running back duo of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren have combined for 340 yards and three touchdowns. The change of Broderick Jones to the starting lineup is believed to be the biggest reason why.
Even Matt Canada moving to the sideline has had it's positives. The offense hasn't been perfect, but the "Fire Canada" chants have dimmed pretty significantly, and it's not because people got tired of yelling.
Think about the Steelers' struggles and successes like this:
At inside linebacker, the Steelers went out and got better talent and found better results.
Along the offensive line, the Steelers made a change to boost their talent level and found better results.
At wide receiver, they needed to upgrade those around Diontae Johnson, and therefore, they went out and got more talent. With it, they found better results.
Along the defensive line, you can say the same thing. Same with depth at outside linebacker.
The Steelers cannot go out and make a quarterback change in Week 11, and sticking with Kenny Pickett is the right move for this team through the remainder of the season.
All right now is time for is to acknowledge that the Steelers have a quarterback problem. If ignored, one that will turn into situations much like the New York Giants, New England Patriots and many others.
A scenario Pittsburgh must avoid no matter how good Pickett is in the fourth quarter.
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