How much longer should the Steelers give Randy Fichtner?

The Pittsburgh Steelers offense has been record-setting in terms of scoring, but where is OC Randy Fichtner found in the success?

The day was January 29th, 2007, previously the offensive coordinator and quarterback coach at the University of Memphis, Randy Fichtner makes his NFL debut after gaining notoriety in the college ranks from six different schools over 20 years. Originally the wide receiver coach when hired by Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, Fichtner has made himself a home in the Steel City. Being promoted to QB coach in 2010 to full-time offensive coordinator on January 15, 2020, after holding both roles the two years prior, he’s continued to climb upwards within the organization.

Although this is not to suggest he needs to trek any further in Pittsburgh, quite the opposite. Does a demotion need to happen soon for Fichtner or a complete withdrawal?

Is the Steelers’ offense because of or despite of Fichtner?

Easily the most vital question heading into the 2020 NFL season for the Steelers. Not the one listed above, but how would QB Ben Roethlisberger perform post-injury, and to add-on to it, what effect would it have on the team as a whole?

The recipe needed for success was already there on the defensive side, whether they played to historic levels or not as they did in 2019, but it was a mystery on the other side of the ball. If Pittsburgh could even get 80% of what Ben was in 2018, there’s no telling where the ceiling could be as a team.

Ten weeks later and alone on the isle of perfection, a lot can be attributed to Ben’s performance on the year thus far, along with the connections to his young WR corps, but when is the mantle elevated for Fichtner?

Pittsburgh has scored 24 points or more in each game this season but has only scored six of their 36 touchdowns in the first quarter, with just one coming off the opening drive. Script plays & lack of preparation have seemed to plague the Steelers offense from any sort of hot start practically all year.

The running game has been a constant struggle, and if we were to rewind a year ago when the Steelers were without a Ben, points were not a thing that came by often, especially against teams above .500.

The answer is as simple as it appears. Fichtner is safe in his current role as long as Roethlisberger is the active QB. A solution could be rolling back to the WRs coach like when he aided in the development of former Pittsburgh wideouts such Santonio Holmes, Emmanuel Sanders, Mike Hilton, & Antonio Brown; however, a demotion never sounds great.

A fresh mind to handle playcalling that caters to the talent on the Steelers offense & the direction of the NFL, in general, can pay dividends for the present and future of the team. Not to be a complete knock against Randy, who has rightfully earned his time in Pittsburgh, it’s a “not bad, but can be a lot better” situation.