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?
Maybe a Joshua Dobbs reunion
They effectively have to stick with Pickett for another season for several reasons, in no specific order. 1) They need to see if he develops under a new OC and that it was Canada that was the issue. 2) They won’t find anyone truly that much better on the free agent market that would supplant Pickett, at least in the price range that they can afford since they won’t be looking for a replacement. 3) They won’t be in a good enough draft position to take an elite QB.
The best option they have is to give Pickett year 3 as a make or break year. If he can’t stay healthy or doesn’t progress, decline the 5th year option and start identifying a replacement either through the draft or free agency. Both of those likely require offloading some of the higher priced talent on the team so they either have money to spend or suck enough to get a higher pick. If he succeeds then great problem solved.
It’s highly unlikely the Steelers will ever fully rebuild, even if they should. Instead they would “retool” on the fly. The roster is full of holes and players not living up to their billing and it’s going to take a little time for Khan to fix it. For example, Mason Cole should be offloaded asap—consistent low snaps on top of getting driven into the backfield.
Terrible take!
No its a pretty well thought out take actually.
You not agreeing doesn’t make it a terrible take.
I’ll shorten it for you
1. Keep Pickett to see how he does under a new OC, they can’t/wont afford higher priced free agents, and them picking at 18 currently in 1st round isn’t gonna end up with an elite QB prospect
2. Steelers should commit to a rebuild as the team has too many issues to compete for a superbowl. But they wont do such. And should consider cleaning up the salary cap.
Abbreviated ignorance is probably better than detailing your ignorance.
1. Pickett sucks and if you can’t see that you simply don’t know what you’re watching.
2. The Steelers started a rebuild a couple of years ago. It doesn’t happen in a year or two and that is one of the most well known facts in the universe. Have you only been a fan for a year or two? How do you not realize we already started a rebuild and it isn’t over.
Ever hear of Ben Roethlisberger? He was the QB before the rebuild. Go look it up.
It’s not a rebuild unless you tear it all down which they obviously have not genius
They have not gotten out from any older contracts
Strictly a retool dummy
1. Nobody said Pickett was good
What was said is Pickett had a terrible OC let’s see how he does in a full year with a new OC.
They also said steelers aren’t in a position to fix the qb situation anytime soon in the draft or free agency.
What’s it gonna hurt to give him another year? He stinks you get better draft position for one of the 2024 qbs. He does well you pick up his 5th year option. At any point in the next 2-3 years they can draft a replacement.
2. Really? Trading for Allen Robinson’s abysmal contract is what rebuilding teams do? No its not. Steelers have opted to try and retool. Rebuilding teams trade guys of value and clear up cap space. Not sign veterans or trade for veterans on expensive contracts trying to retool.
For the record, I don’t think Pickett ultimately is the answer, but I don’t think he’s been given a fair chance either between his first year of being told to play conservatively and limit turnovers and his second year of Matt Canada’s so called offense.
Truthfully I think he’s at best a competent career backup like Chad Henne or AJ McCarron. On the off chance that myself and others are wrong and he needs another year to make it click like others (Hurts and Allen for example), you gotta give him the chance. The Steelers will need to find an answer, but aren’t going to this coming year.
Don’t forget the part about replacing Tomlin too! Dump him on Carolina for a draft pick! I agree with everything else you and Bucsfan said!
Bro I am so glad someone else notices how bad Mason Cole is. Every 3rd snap is by the QB’s shoelaces and it’s not like he even stops the pressure up the middle after his bad snaps.
I don’t know how he got so bad so fast.
He was never really that good. He played decent last year, this year he’s regressed to his norm. There is a reason why he was a reserve before coming here.
He deserves to be stuck with for one more year. Don’t get me wrong you think a QB that is better & he is available in the draft you take him but other than that he deserves an opportunity with a real OC.
Everyone at the end of the day can say what they want about this offense with Canada being gone & saying look it really wasn’t him but at the end of the day there was no way to install a new playbook.
They had to roll with the plays they have and come up with a gameplan and implement the plays in a better way.
It just goes to show the plays are horrible. Yes Kenny needs to improve but at the end of the day he has not been given the best opportunity to succeed.
And everyone can knock him all they want but one thing they can’t take away is his success in the 4th quarter.
Yeah you tend to look really good in the 4th quarter when you are no where to be found Q1-3. I’d look good too if I threw for 93 yards in 3 quarters and then threw for my first TD and 50 yards on one drive in the 4th. Pickett sucks. It’s simple. 6 TDs all season long. 13 in 23 games. Pitiful. The excuses have worn thin for him.
You tend to just look good on 4th quarter game winning drives that makes no sense
He deserves a year with a real OC
I am not saying he is the answer
I sm just saying he deserves the opportunity
I watched Pickett in college he is not a pocket passer he is a move the pocket bootleg play action type QB
All stuff Canada’s offense is not designed for
The limited opportunities he has had to run those type plays he has shown promise
I mean the ignorance of ppl is astonishing.
You all act like the plays they are running now are still not Canada’s playbook.
You really think they implemented a whole new playbook after what 12 weeks ?
That is just stupid
It’s the OC’s job to fit a game plan around the strengths & weaknesses of the opposing team using the plays you design.
This Co-OC which by the way is a joke as well is still limited to Canada’s high school level playbook
Please learn football
How many years does he have to suck before you stop blaming everyone else?
I don’t blame everyone else I blame Canada genius
Canada’s gone. Pickett still couldn’t throw a TD vs the 2 worst defenses in the league. But yeah… It was ALL Canada’s fault… Genius.
He probably sucks, BUT the new OC has been there for, what, 2 weeks? Hard to revamp a trash system in a few weeks.
It’s hard to fix a terrible QB too. Which, even Andy Reid wouldn’t make Pickett any better..
San Fran is doing OK with Darnold and a 8th round pick..
so maybe re-think that
Lol that ‘8th round pick’ you speak of happens to be 100x more talented than the Steelers 1st round pick. Sam Darnold the one with 3 passes this year? Glad he’s showing greatness LOL.
Get real Purdy has been better than Pickett since day 1 and draft position doesn’t amount to skill (obviously). And the greatest QB of all time was a 6th round pick.
I don’t need to re-think anything. Andy Reid couldn’t make Pickett look like a starter because he stinks that bad.
ya right. Purdy is trash on the Panthers etc.
never gets a chance, and low intelligence fans hop on the 49ers qb
Lol Purdy would have the Steelers at 10-3 right now. Purdy has thrown nearly 3 times the amount of TDs in 2 less games.
Purdy may be trash in an org like Carolina (who isn’t?) but Pickett would suck if he played on the Eagles, 49ers, Chiefs, etc. That speaks more measures than your scenario.
Give it up. Pickett’s had plenty of chances and he’s done nothing. The only ‘low intelligence’ fans are the ones riding with a backup QB as the future of the organization. You can keep rooting for him while he bails from a clean pocket. Or while he avoids the middle of the field for 10 weeks because he’s afraid to throw an interception. Even Bailey Zappe stepped up and made throws with incoming pressure. Pickett hasn’t done that his whole career once.
that’s a lot a yappin and very little substance
I don’t know, Goku. Perhaps you’re right, that if you put Pickett on the Niners, he’s every bit as effective as Purdy. Who knows?
I liked Pickett’s progress at Pitt but here, he’s had a difficult time. He seems to alternately be afraid of pressure—which is admittedly almost every time he sets up to pass—and of throwing an interception
To a degree, I get what you’re saying. Najee often gets the ball at the same time the entire defensive line gets him.
23 starts in however, you have to question pocket awareness, arm strength and ability to check second and third options
Maybe a new OC will build around the kid’s abilities. Maybe replacing most of their o-line will give him more time and allow him to be comfortable.
But this is going to be a process in both regards and that’s not even taking into account that the kid just might not have it to begin with
a competent center would go a long way
MC didnt let him make reads, it was all designed plays under MC. literally every play.
Kenny def looked competent without MC, then broke his ankle.
I’m not claiming that he can be as good as Mahomes or Allen , but still has Cousins potential if he can get some protection and competent play calling
Did Canada continuously overthrow receivers? Pickett has no accuracy over 15 yards. Coaches realize that
west coast QBs can be ok
It’s a lot of truth and not a lot of brain to understand it.
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