The Seattle Seahawks head to Pittsburgh to face the Pittsburgh Steelers, searching for their first win of the season after a tough loss to the San Francisco 49ers. While the scoreboard didn’t go their way, Mike Macdonald’s defense looked sharp in Week 1—something that could spell trouble for a Steelers offensive line still trying to find its footing.
Despite putting up 34 points, Pittsburgh’s offensive line showed signs of struggle, and as a young unit the front office has heavily invested in, its growth will play a major role in determining the team’s overall success. The Steelers need that investment to start paying off quickly.
Week 2 brings urgency, and the offensive line must take a step forward. Here’s what they’ll need to do to deliver a stronger performance against Seattle.
Pittsburgh Steelers have no room for the offensive line to be a liability
Mike Macdonald and opposing defenses will continue to scheme against the Steelers' offense by targeting Broderick Jones. The former first-round pick had a rough outing against the Jets, giving up three sacks, which simply cannot happen when protecting a 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers' blindside. Now in year three of his rookie contract, Jones has to figure it out quickly. If this season is no better than last year, his time in Pittsburgh could be over sooner than expected.
The biggest issue in week one was his inconsistent hand placement in pass protection. Jones has the size and athleticism to be a solid starting tackle, but he is still far behind from a technique standpoint. Sunday will be another big test, as Seattle brings a strong defensive line and a Mike Macdonald defense that thrives on simulated pressures, blitzes, and post-snap disguises designed to confuse quarterbacks and offensive lines.
It was not just Jones who struggled. Every starter on the offensive line had problems last week, both in run blocking and in pass protection. For a unit that played almost all of last season together and most of the preseason as well, the performance was inexcusable. The Steelers were fortunate to escape with a win despite being dominated on both sides of the ball. Doing that for a second week in a row will be nearly impossible without major improvement up front.
The reality is clear. The fate of this season depends on the offensive line becoming more consistent and efficient. The Steelers are built to run the football and control games. They will not survive trying to win in shootouts every week. If Pat Meyer’s group does not take a step forward quickly, the offense could be in serious trouble.