Pittsburgh fans and media eagerly await QB Mitch Trubisky and started picking Kenny Pickett in the first round. However, former Steelers, QB star Ben Roethlisberger said that Trubisky should not be blamed for the team’s offensive efforts.
“I hate it for Mitch because I don’t think it’s fair,” Roethlisberger said Monday on his podcast. “I wouldn’t blame Mitch for the performance. I don’t think he deserves the support of the fans. ”
However, the retired QB is not to blame for the struggles.
In week 2 against the Patriots, the Steelers’ attack was anemic, averaging 4.2 yards per play. Trubisky does not take risks. Fourteen out of 21 completions come within six yards of the script line.
It’s unclear if Trubisky didn’t want to throw deeper or if he was required to throw short. Some blamed offensive coordinator Matt Canada for the team’s failures.
“They should fire Matt Canada,” said Pittsburgh media personality Mark Madden Second podcast. “This offense has the stench of death.”
Offense has not played well since the Steelers hired Canada as offensive coordinator in 2021. Last season, it finished 23rd of the total number of crimes. Pittsburgh (1-1) has only two offensive TDs this season.
Many expected that with the retirement of the immobile Roethlisberger, the Steelers’ offense would improve. The Steelers have good weapons, such as wide receivers Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool, and rookie George Pickens has shown promise.
Claypool has hinted that the problem may have been a joke. “We can just do what they ask us to do and do it,” he said Athletic’s Mark Kaboly.
