The Steelers kept the Dolphins within reach but they couldn’t score when it mattered in their Sunday Night Football contest. Here is how Twitter responded.
As I’ve been writing these columns about the Twitter reaction to the Steelers games, I’ve noticed one common tweet that ends up on my timeline just about every week: Pittsburgh fans want Matt Canada fired. The offensive coordinator has been greatly disappointing in 2022, and fans are gathering in one accord to march him out of town. This tweet is one most fans can agree with:
You have to fire Matt Canada. You just have to.
— Jared Kane (@BaddestBearJew) October 24, 2022
Pittsburgh’s offense has been so bad, the players are beginning to verbalize their frustrations with the offensive game plan. Wide receiver Chase Claypool expressed his feelings about the offense this season.
Claypool: "I just think we need more go balls. Like, damn, not enough go balls. We got playmakers. I haven't had a go ball all year. George needs more, (Diontae) needs more. I'm not saying that's on the playcalling, I'm just saying we need to try to find a way to scheme it up."
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) October 24, 2022
But the frustration just isn’t in the locker room, it’s everywhere. Former Pittsburgh journalist, Ed Bouchette, claims that this might be the worst offense he has ever seen.
This may be the worst Steelers offense I have ever seen, and I go back aways
— Ed Bouchette (@EdBouchette) October 24, 2022
Fans are disappointed that the Steelers talent on offense is being held back by offensive coordinator Matt Canada as he continues to scheme an offense full of jet sweeps and short passes.
1st quarter aside, defense playing its ass off. Offense needs to make it happen. It’s there for the taking.
— Donny Football (@DonChed54) October 24, 2022
The Matt Canada offense is set up to three-and-out just about every drive, but with Kenny Pickett under center, they have been able to extend some of their drives. But they still get the same end result, a punt.
The Matt Canada offense leads football history in jet sweeps that go for 2 yards. And no one else is even close.
— Colin Dunlap (@colin_dunlap) October 24, 2022
If you missed the game, here was Pittsburgh’s offense in a nutshell against the Miami Dolphins:
Run, run, pass, punt
— Adam Crowley (@_adamcrowley) October 24, 2022
The offense struggled again this game and it only produced one touchdown. Which again, is a big disappointment for the offensive talent on this team.
The #Steelers are averaging 14.4 offensive points per game this season. Dead last in the NFL... Let that one sink in.
— Tommy Jaggi (@TommyJaggi) October 24, 2022
As bad as the play calling was, it was overshadowed by the interceptions thrown on the last two Steelers’ possessions. In both possessions, the Steelers were driving down the field and moving the ball at a rapid clip. But to the dismay of many, Pickett made two bad throws that landed in the hands of the Dolphins’ defense. Twitter had a field day after.
I know it’s hard right now Steelers Fans but you gotta take the good with the bad with Kenny Pickett. He is a rookie and learning through this trial by fire. He will be better for it in the long run.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) October 24, 2022
Don't care if he's a rookie. He's 24. Those are two awful INTs.
— Chris Mueller (@ChrisMuellerPGH) October 24, 2022
Amid the doom and gloom about Pickett’s performance, there was some acknowledgment of the expected struggles that the rookie is facing at the moment.
Love Little Mittens heart. The energy Kenny brings to this offense, this team, & this organization is tangible. I think he’s gonna be a good one, but he has to let the PICK in Pickett go if he is to be that guy… Gunfighters get shot, and you ain’t never seen an old one!
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) October 24, 2022
Pickett has the skill to be a star in this league, he just needs to limit the mistakes.
Pickett is gonna be awesome. Early growing pains. Reminds me a little of a young Eli Manning
— Nick Kostos (@TheKostos) October 24, 2022
Perhaps, the final and most important tweet of this column is one that provides hope, comfort, and an urge to be patient with the rookie — something we have a hard time doing in moments like these.
Kenny Pickett has thrown 7 interceptions in his first 4 career games.
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) October 24, 2022
The only other rookie QB to throw 5+ INT in their first 4 career games (and play in at least 4 games) with the Steelers was Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw, who would go on to win 4 Super Bowls for the Steelers.
The situation seems desperate now, but there is hope that all of Picketts struggles will be worth it in the end. After all, if Terry Bradshaw can bounce back after the growing pains as a rookie then so can Pickett.