The Steelers have had a lackluster start to the season, and there are a lot of people at fault. While the team has found a way to split their first two games, they have looked like a below-average team for the most part. While some players and groups have shined, there have been just as many players that have come up flat.
The road doesn’t get much easier either. Frankly, if the offense especially doesn’t get its act together, this team could be one of the bottom feeders in the league. While sweeping changes aren’t going to be the move, a few new faces here and there would make a huge difference. Here are four Steelers that need to get benched heading into week three.
Let’s address the Steelers Kenny Pickett dilemma
One of the biggest disappointments of the Steelers early portion of the season has been the play of Kenny Pickett. While the play-calling certainly hasn’t helped, Pickett has looked lost at times. His accuracy has been poor, and his decision-making arguably worse.
Typically, play like that at the most important position on the field could justify a benching, and some fans seem keen to move on from Pickett this season. While I have never been a huge believer in his game, benching Pickett wouldn’t do the team any good.
Mitch Trubisky is what he is, and even if he was slightly more consistent, starting him doesn’t do this team any favors. Add in the fact that there is still time for Pickett to make some improvements and benching him is nonsensical.
Even if the play continues to struggle, letting him fail provides this team with their answer on whether he can be the face of this franchise. Unless this team is somehow vying for a playoff spot despite his horrible play, let Pickett have this season, and if he doesn’t progress, as has been the case so far, you look for a replacement in the offseason.
Steelers need to bench Gunner Olszewski
It was hard to get behind the Gunner Olszewski signing when it happened a year and a half ago. While a former top return man, his value to diminishing as returns are phased out in the pro game. That said, there was hope that he would at least stabilize the returner position.
That hasn’t been the case, as he was benched last season due to fumble issues, and while he snuck onto the roster this year, he proved that he is still the same player as a year ago. Olszewski was forced into action last week due to the Anthony McFarland injury, and the results weren’t pretty.
It all started when he fielded a kickoff on the sideline and went right out of bounce. Had he not fielded that kick, the Steelers would have had the ball at the 40-yard line as opposed to around the 8. Even had he called for the fair catch it would have been a better choice than what he did. It was a stupid mistake and it set the offense back early in the drive.
For some reason, the Steelers seemed keen on using him on offense as well, and that was also a disaster. While he took a big hit on his lone catch, it resulted in a fumble that set up the Browns in their red zone. He did a lot of damage despite not being a featured player on this team.
At this point, the Steelers would be wise to look elsewhere at both receiver and return man. Olszewski has proven to be a liability, and he isn’t giving this team anything that they couldn’t find elsewhere. He needs to be put on the bench or released from this team outright.
Steelers need to upgrade their slot cornerback room
Of the four names on this list, this is arguably the least vital position that needs a new face. While the combination of Chandon Sullivan and Elijah Riley has been okay in the slot, neither player has stood out as an objective positive.
Sitting on the bench is Desmond King. The former Texan has been consistently one of the better cornerbacks in the league, and while he can play outside, his best natural fit is in the slot. He has thrived there since being drafted, and he has shown the ability to be a playmaker and a sound run defender when inside.
King is likely the best slot cornerback option available on this roster right now. While seeing him on the bench through the first two weeks isn’t shocking considering he was added to the roster after cutdowns, it is high time to get him active. This secondary needs an infusion of talent right now, and King could be just the solution.
While I would make him the primary slot defender, King can, and should, also figure into the outside cornerback rotation. Neither starter there has proven to be a great fit so far, and it has cost the Steelers in the passing game. Giving King the slot role paves the way for him to be a bigger impact player moving forward.
Steelers need to bench Levi Wallace
I was happy when the Steelers announced that they had signed Levi Wallace to a deal during the 2022 offseason. While not an elite player, he got a relatively cheap deal and was a fine starter for the Bills. While I didn’t want him covering a top receiver every week, I was fine with him being the second or third cornerback on this team.
His steady play was evident last year, as he was a strong starter who had his best season as a pro. I was expecting a lot of the same this year, but that hasn’t been the case through two games. He was below average against the 49ers and was abysmal against the Browns on Monday.
What has really been an issue is his run defense. While never a huge thumper, Wallace was, again, consistent as a run defender, wrapping up and not allowing the big play. That hasn’t been the case this season, as he has taken poor angles and has failed to regain that consistency from a year ago.
This isn’t to say his pass defense has been great either (it hasn’t), and overall he appears to be a weak link in the secondary. Joey Porter, the team's second-round pick, looked great in the offseason and has shown some good coverage skills in limited playing time. He is the logical replacement for Wallace.
The only issue with that, on paper, is that Wallace and Porter have been playing the opposite sides. I certainly don’t want to move Porter around, so perhaps Patrick Peterson, who has also struggled, could make the move to Wallace’s side. No matter the way, Wallace needs to find some more time on the bench and Porter needs to see the field soon.
Steelers need to bench Dan Moore Jr.
Another player I have defended, Dan Moore hasn’t looked like the developing tackle that he showcased in the offseason. PFF hasn’t looked kindly on Moore through the first two weeks either, grading him out as the worst tackle in football. While I don’t believe that to be the case, I do think it is time to get Broderick Jones some action.
While Moore can, and likely will, show some improvements after facing two elite pass rushers in both weeks one and two, Jones is the obvious left tackle of the future. While he wasn’t as good as Moore was in the offseason, he will eventually be given the keys to the left tackle job. Had Moore been playing at the level he did in the offseason, it wouldn’t make sense to pull him.
Moore has struggled though, and I would rather see a rookie struggle as he learns the ropes as opposed to learning very little about Moore. I also wouldn’t shut the door on Moore starting either. Chukwuma Okorafor has also struggled, and I have said for the longest time I think Moore can succeed at right tackle.
That said, it is time to turn to Jones as the left tackle. As fans, we need to understand that this will come with some growing pains, and we can’t write Jones off after one bad week. It is time though; Jones needs to be allowed to showcase why he was the Steelers first-round pick.
The Steelers first two games have not gone as expected, and while the team has limped to an even record, change is needed. It should start here, as these four players all need to head to the bench in favor of some better options.