Offensive numbers, particularly in the passing game, are somewhat down across the NFL this season due to teams playing two safeties high in coverage to prevent teams from connecting on deep or out routes.
One team in particular — the Pittsburgh Steelers — thought it would be significantly improved on that side of the football this season with the addition of quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, but instead, it is struggling mightily.
ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky said the Steelers have an “offensive problem,” but that it goes well beyond the play of Fields, who is starting under center for them right now.
Dan Orlovsky: “Pittsburgh has an offensive problem and it’s not the quarterback.” #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/ZCnkopKkJq
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) October 7, 2024
They lost 20-17 on Sunday to the Dallas Cowboys in a game in which it could only muster 226 total yards of offense while allowing Dallas to amass 445 total yards of offense.
Overall, they rank 23rd in total yards, 26th in points scored and 27th in passing yards through five games.
Orlovsky said that receivers aren’t getting open for Pittsburgh that often, despite the talent of wide receiver George Pickens, and that they’re having trouble dealing with man coverages on third-down situations.
Perhaps this falls more on head coach Mike Tomlin and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith more than it does on their players.
Last season, the Steelers had similar rankings on offense, and fans were calling for Matt Canada to be relieved of his duties as the team’s offensive coordinator.
Canada was fired in November, and Smith, who had been the Atlanta Falcons’ head coach, was hired.
