Why Ryan Switzer should have been as good on the Steelers as Ray-Ray McCloud

Returns for the Steelers

It is important to note that these two players came to the Steelers under different circumstances. McCloud was signed well into the offseason for virtually nothing. Switzer was traded for, albeit it was a swap of late-round picks, but it was still a trade, nonetheless. Expectations were higher for him, and when he didn’t produce, he instantly became a bust. McCloud was a shot in the dark, so the fact that the team is getting anything from him is a plus.

As returners though, the argument isn’t even close. McCloud has averaged 15 yards per punt return and 24.2 yards as a kick returner. He hasn’t scored, but he has had quite a few big returns set this offense up with good field position. Switzer struggled to make an impact as a returner, averaging a paltry 8.4 yards per punt return and 19.8 yards per kick return.

While there is little to debate here in terms of who has returned better, context can be important here. In 2018, when Switzer saw the bulk of his return work, the Steelers defense was a composite 17th best unit in the NFL (according to PFR). This goes back to the more classic “bend don’t break” style of defense the Steelers were playing. This means when teams punted, more often than not, it was pinning the Steelers back. That was a thing Switzer actually did well as a returner. Coming up to make the fair catch to only have the punt bounce into the endzone for a touchback.

Compare this to 2020, the Steelers defense is currently ranked 3rd. This means offenses are moving the ball less, meaning there is a greater opportunity for returns. McCloud has made the most of it, but would the same thing be said if he was constantly fielding the ball deep in his own territory? He has looked like a better returner with the ball in his hands, but he may have had similar struggles if the defense wasn’t playing as well as it is this year.