Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett called out some of his teammates for their lack of film study, which has led to their 2-6 record entering the bye week.
Kenny Pickett may be a rookie, but he needs to earn the respect of the locker room on the fly in a busy bye week for Pittsburgh.
The Steelers are 2-6. While few expected year one without Ben Roethlisberger to be a breeze, no one could’ve seen this putrid result coming. Matt Canada’s offense looks like a high school scheme, while penalties and miscommunications have not helped matters.
Pickett and Pittsburgh must go back to the drawing board, or what already looks like a wasted season will have no real benefit. What is that benefit? Namely, it’s proving that the franchise made the right decision in selecting the local product, Pickett, in the first round of last year’s NFL Draft.
At the very least, Pickett looks the part off the field. He’s demanded his teammates step up when he needs them most.
Who’s to blame for the Steelers putrid offense?
It’s common for players to blame themselves, or those around them in the locker room, rather than point the finger at a coaching staff. It’s survival of the fittest, when you think about it. How should Pickett or any other offensive playmaker receive playing time while blaming the coaches? At the end of the day, it’s the coach’s decision who plays, and who rides the bench.
Since the start of the 2021 season, Matt Canada’s offense has averaged just 18.5 points per game. That includes a league-worst 15 points per game in 2022. That’s a large enough sample size to suggest that Canada’s scheme isn’t working in Pittsburgh.
As for Mike Tomlin, he’s open to changes.
“We’re 2-6, guys,” Tomlin said, per the Pittsburgh Tribune. “I’m open to doing whatever is required for us to get better. That’s just how it is. We’re seriously committed to winning and being better, and that’s just a component of it.”
Pickett is willing to step to the plate for change. Will his teammates join him?