Steelers Offense Already Feels Different for Kenny Pickett
PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers made a seismic change to their coaching staff this week, when head coach Mike Tomlin announced that he had relieved offensive coordinator Matt Canada of his duties and would replace him with the tandem of running backs coach Eddie Faulkner and quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan.
The Steelers' offensive coaching staff not only looked different but felt different too, according to starting quarterback Kenny Pickett, who threw for a season-high 278 yards to lead the offense to its highest single-game yardage output of the season.
"I think we came together as a unit. Huge shoutout to Coach [Faulkner] and Coach [Sullivan]," Pickett said. "I think those guys did a great job preparing us this week. I think we did a good job coming together and staying together at a time of adversity, coming on the road and getting a really big-time, AFC North win so it feels good.”
It wasn't perfect, but the Steelers gained 400 yards of offense for the first time in three years and their 421 total yards were the most this team has gained since Week 16 of 2018. They still have some issues to clean up - five penalties and a fumble, namely - but Pickett was happy with the way the Steelers moved the ball consistently and controlled time of possession.
Breaking in a new offensive coordinator in Faulkner and a new gameday play-caller in Sullivan means there is an adjustment period but the Steelers found a new, effective flow to their offense despite the different leadership.
“It’s definitely different," he said. "It’s a new play-caller so you kind of get used to the flow of how he likes to call things and it’s something that we’re going to continue to try and iron out. But felt like every drive, we were having productive drives, moving the ball really well."
The Steelers scored just 16 points - 0.6 points off their average scoring total under Canada - against the Bengals but there was certainly a different look and feeling in the offense after game one with the new regime. After Faulkner got the offense ready during the week, Pickett's existing relationship with his position coach came in handy as Sullivan called the plays and helped guide the Steelers to victory.
“The kind of flow of calls like how Coach Sully likes to call games and our communication on the sideline is great," Pickett said. "He’s been my right-hand man since I got here, so the communication has always been great with Coach Sully and it’s just, now that he has to call the plays, obviously an adjustment but felt like we handled it pretty well.”
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