The Steelers made unwanted history over the past few days by losing consecutive contests against teams eight games under .500 via their upset defeats against the Cardinals and Patriots. In the latter contest, backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky filled in for an injured Kenny Pickett. That setup will likely continue for the time being. 
Pickett suffered a high ankle sprain during Sunday’s loss to Arizona, and he underwent surgery the next day in an attempt to minimize the time he missed as a result of the injury. Pittsburgh elected not to place him on injured reserve, a move which would have guaranteed a four-week absence. In spite of that, the team is indeed “bracing” for the possibility of Pickett missing that much time, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports.
The 2022 first-rounder was immediately ruled out for the Steelers’ Thursday night game in the wake of his procedure, but no further updates to his status have been announced. While his availability on a game-by-game basis will thus be worth monitoring closely, the Steelers face the possibility of relying on Trubisky at the helm for a critical late season stretch. Pittsburgh now sits at 7-6 on the outside of the AFC’s wild-card picture.
Pickett’s Year 2 performance had not lived up to expectations prior to his injury, with the Steelers’ offense as a whole struggling to find consistent production. The decision to dismiss offensive coordinator Matt Canada – which came about from head coach Mike Tomlin after multiple discussions with owner Art Rooney II – seemed to spark a turnaround in a win over the Bengals. The Steelers topped 400 yards in that game, but their offense took a step back in the Cardinals and Patriots losses, leaving the team with a challenging path in the closing weeks of the campaign.
Trubisky – who began the 2022 season as the starter before being replaced by Pickett on a full-time basis – has 56 starts to his name, making him an experienced spot starter. The former Bears No. 2 pick has generally put up underwhelming numbers during his time in Pittsburgh, however, which will lead to questions about the team’s offensive capabilities down the stretch. As Pickett’s status remains in the air, the possibility looms that Trubisky will be counted on to steer the Steelers back into the playoff picture.
Sorry that Pickett is injured but he’s not the caliber of a starting QB in the NFL. I was happy they drafted him but 23 starts in and it’s pretty obvious. Trubisky isn’t the answer either
I don’t know where they go from here
I have to laugh at Steelers fans bemoaning them losing to AZ and NE, as if it’s some kind of embarrassment. No, those teams are as good or as better than the Steelers. The Steelers were “gifted” a number of their wins this year. Let’s tell it like it is
There are literally so many holes in this team that it’s difficult to know where to start the fixes. The QB is one of the top problems but why is it you just know they’ll stick with Pickett for another season?
Update: he still sucks
Need a total makeover, starting with the head coach. He has lost the locker room. Receivers who won’t block because they don’t get the ball enough. They decided to keep Trubisky and Rudolph but neither are going to turn the tide. Linebackers were exposed last night. Time to move on, even if it is not the Steeler way
You touch on something that’s really concerning—and that’s receivers Pickens and Johnson. I understand that receivers these days are something like divas, but you nailed it. Won’t block. Run half hearted routes. Pout when either not thrown the ball or there is an errant pass their way
If it’s evident to fans it must be to Tomlin and the staff
Agree 100% with you. Might as well trade away whatever talent you have and rebuild with draft picks.
Diontae has done a 180 since the Bengals game. Pickens is a head case and hasn’t shown effort since day 1.
UTree said it best. It’s a pipeline for star receivers in PIT.
According to the national media if they fired Tomlin he would have a HC job in ten minutes. If that’s the case we should be able to get something for him in a trade. Time for him to go.
The linebackers were exposed because quite literally, they are practice squad guys. Losing Alexander and Holcomb has been gut-wrenching for this defense.
I completely agree (and I’ve defended Tomlin for years) but we all know it won’t happen. Players are tuning him out. Hell, even things that Tomlin banned a few years back like no social media in the locker room he’s now embraced because he doesn’t want to upset the players.
I’d try to trade Tomlin to a team that needs a culture reset (Washington, Carolina, Chicago) and get as many first round picks as possible (which effectively rules out Carolina at the moment). Yes his replacement may not be as good, but sometimes you need a different voice to deliver the message and I fear that’s the case. Won’t happen, but I think it should.
Becareful that Tomlin cult is stronger than the Trump cult.
I don’t understand the fascination with this guy
He is the most overrated coach in the NFL
And when he didn’t get the extension this year I fully believe he will be either traded or let go to coach Washington.
Hope it comes with a pick or 2 but it’s time for him to move on.
We need to replace all of the fans who think they have some kind of absolute right to win every game.
Gambling has turned you people into complete clowns.
Canada is gone… Who is the blame train on to next?
He’s gone but his system isn’t. Just new guys calling the same offense.
Thank you well put but you can’t explain that to idiots
They need to burn the whole rotten structure down
Tomlin and staff need to go
The receivers need to go
Harris needs to go after next year
The old defensive guys need to go
The whole thing needs to be taken down and rebuilt by a new young coach with modern ideas
I’m at that point too. I’m actually hoping the season crashes from here on out to get a better draft pick and I think a team wide rebuild would be good. Trade who you can for top picks and start over from the ground up AFTER they get rid of Tomlin and his staff. He has to go. He just wanders the sidelines and does nothing. I don’t want to hear fans blame all this on Kenny or Mitch or the players. The coaching blows .
You not a real fan then
Did it need to crash to get Cam or TJ who got picked in the 20’s
I never want my team to ever lose or tank
That’s a terrible mindframe to have
Steeler fans are much whinier than I would ever have thought. At the first sign of adversity they crumble into fire the coach, cut the quarterback, trade the receivers.
I been sayin fire the coach since The Browns Special Team coach beat him in a playoff game
Analytics baby
Pickett sucks
Much as his reputation is tarnished, I feel like the Jets and Steelers would be in a much better place had they signed Wentz.
Uh…no. Wentz’s limitations were fully exposed when the Eagles had to rebuild their failing OL. The Jets and Steelers have porous OLs as well so Wentz would struggle just as badly with those teams.
I suppose the encore for an Immaculate Reception will have to be an Immaculate Resuscitation.
Tomlin and the Steelers are loyal and this is becoming a huge issue.
I think Tomlin lost the locker room by staying loyal to Canada for as long as he has
Some coaches like ST coach still have jobs despite subpar performances in the return game.
They are loyal to players because they hate to admit they made a mistake by signing or drafting a player… see Anthony McFarland
I don’t want to see tomlin fired if their are truly teams out their that would want his services.
No need for mutual parting.
Trade him.
What you term “loyal” has a lot of “stubbornness” and “ego” borne in. That is, changes are often not made thanks to this stubborn streak that says, “I’m right” and this idea that hey, we’ve always been successful this way
Times change.
Unless there was some gross misconduct that precipitated a firing—which there isn’t—the Steelers would never fire Tomlin. Not only has he had a successful tenure, but he’s a minority coach who came to a franchise that authored the Rooney Rule. I mean, how would the franchise look in firing a successful minority coach?
I don’t even believe they trade him.
A great deal of criticism that has been aimed at Tomlin over the years has had roots in racism. Let’s be honest. To some, Tomlin could win 4 Super Bowls and still be a horrible coach.
But I thought Ryan Clark’s assessment this morning was spot on. Tomlin must change
The way he coached, the way he communicated with young men when he began isn’t working now. Where he was once looked upon by players as a guy who can inspire, it would appear his message and style no longer have the same affect
Tomlin’s a bright guy. I’m sure this is occurring to him. Whether he can change in the years ahead is another thing.
I remember an interview with John Madden where he stated that a coach has to stay true to who he is to have any success. As soon as you start trying to become something you’re not, just to stay fashionable and please others…you lose your way.
I agree with staying true to yourself. Sure.
But I think there’s something to be said for re-inventing one’s approach, too, especially in teaching and coaching.
Tomlin’s athletes aren’t the same variety of players he had with Troy, Hines, James Harrison, Heath in a football sense, but they’re different types of individuals, too
Yeah, be who you are, but exude in a style that reaches a new generation of player
That’s the challenge
A coach has to use various approaches depending on the individuals but the message has to be consistent to get everyone on the same page. Madden discovered that yelling was not an approach Art Shell responded to well but once they got past that, the two of them had a good relationship.
Maybe that’s why Madden only won 1 SB..
Hey Steeler fans,
Win 3 of next 4 and make playoffs. How about rooting for your team instead of belly aching. Injuries to inside linebackers and Pickett hurt. Probably would have beat Pats if he was healthy. Give Pickett and Tomlin another year to prove it.
Do people think this is a good roster?
Is this a team that should be 10-3 or 9-4 if not for Tomlin being a bum and holding them back?
Being 6-3 and having rookie quarterbacks in the Browns and Bengals and then home games against the Cardinals and Patriots, Steeler fans had to believed that 10-3 was very possible.
I think you should be the one to tell the Steeler fans that there ain’t no Santa Claus.
It’s like the 11-0 start they had a few years ago, really. Any fan of the sport knew that it was a facade while the fan club types kept pointing to the record
Look, I always supported Tomlin. I loved the Pickett selection
And I’m not advocating Tomlin suddenly has become Captain Queeg and needs to be fired
But watch the games. Watch other teams.
It’s laughable that anyone who dissents is somehow a “yinzer” who feels entitled to Super Bowl appearances. The team as is has a lot of holes, a lot of problems, even when healthy. I don’t know where they even begin to solve those problems
New assistants? New o-line
Yeah, Canada was out of his element here. So is Pickett. That’s obvious now, 23 starts in
Again, at what point do fan club types realize that the Steelers just aren’t better than the Cardinals or Pats? This is who they are regardless of record