The Pittsburgh Steelers offense has an image problem. The last four years of abysmal offense is enough to keep any self respecting offensive player from wanting to come to Pittsburgh, but it’s worse than just that. The 1990s style conservative offense that Mike Tomlin has imposed over the team is not the least bit attractive to any skill player who may want to change addresses. The league is watching as Diontae Johnson now flourishes for a bad Carolina Panthers team. The league also watches while one of the most talented young receivers in the league in George Pickens struggled to get targets, let alone catches.
We have already seen this image problem in real time. Raiders star receiver Davante Adams was traded without even the first hint that the Steelers were in the running for his services. Sure, Adams was probably always going to New York to play with his former teammate Aaron Rodgers. Perhaps things would be different if the Steelers offense looked at all competent. The first place Pittsburgh Steelers surely would have been at least somewhat attractive over the dumpster fire that is the New York Jets. Not in the state this offense is in however. Pittsburgh is the place that wide receivers go to die, and everyone knows it.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are 20th in points per game. That number is inflated a bit by the 32 points they were gifted by a woeful Raiders team last week. This marks the first time they have averaged more than 20 points per game since 2021. What makes matters worse in terms the image of this team is the philosophy that goes along with the struggles on offense. We can explain away some of the difficulties in the past on Matt Canada or Kenny Pickett. They are gone however, and yet the Steelers pass offense remains 28th in the league in yards per game. Dig a little deeper and you find that this team is 30th in passing attempts per game. Add all that up, and this becomes a stay-away destination for skill payers in the league.
Imagine trying to pitch this offense to a talented wide receiver. “Come to Pittsburgh, we don’t throw the ball much, we don’t have an established quarterback, and our coach despises risky throws of any kind.” Omar Khan certainly has his work cut out for him. Maybe this is why the Steelers were left with castoffs like Van Jefferson, and Scotty Miller. A player like Brandon Aiyuk was never, ever going to agree to come play on this Steelers offense. Neither was Davante Adams, or any other highly skilled offense player. Steelers wide receiver room: The worst in the Mike Tomlin era
As we head to the trade dealine do not expect a splash move by Omar Khan to fix the wide receiver problem this team has. We all need to lower our expectations on who the Steelers might acquire. It’s far more likely they add another castoff like Mike Williams from the Jets, or a Deandre Hopkins from Tennessee. Until the Steelers change their philosophy on offense, this is the best Omar Khan will be able to do. Mike Tomlin’s preferred style of offense has given the Steelers an image problem. It’s not one that can be easily overcome.
Don’t forget to check out the new Steelers Sanctuary Podcast here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1981237/episodes/15929918-episode-41-steelers-win-najee-talk-fields-the-guy