The one and only variable that can derail the Steelers 2023 season

I know it may seem premature to discuss the Steelers 2023 season considering we have not even started training camp, but I think there is some validity to a bit of speculation when it comes to what the season could hold for us. First and foremost, let's acknowledge the elephant in the room.

The reality is this: Truth be told, the one and only thing that can derail the season is injuries. That is always a 'wild card' each and every season. I think back to our glory days of the 1970s when injuries to key players certainly played a role in either losing a game or losing a stretch of games, but we always managed to win when it mattered most.

For purposes of this particular discussion, we are entering it with the mindset that everyone will stay healthy and that if injuries occur, they won't be the cause of our demise, so to speak. While there are other variables we could discuss, I think the one we selected is not only realistic but the one that actually could derail the season.

The Steelers Matt Canada simply must delpoy a solid offensive scheme in 2023

I think it's fair to say that Matt Canada has been anything but stellar since he assumed command of the offense in 2021. In the two seasons Canada has been our offensive coordinator, the offense finished twenty-third in total yards in back-to-back seasons. To take it a step further, the offense finished twenty-first and twenty-sixth, respectively, in points per game.

I also think it's fair to say that the Steelers 2023 draft class is arguably the best overall draft class, at least on paper since Mike Tomlin has been our head coach. Coupled with the draft class of 2022, we have a seeming plethora of offensive 'playmakers' at our disposal. Another assumption we will make here is that things will be 'straight' on the defensive side of the ball.

The scheme that Canada has deployed over the last two seasons has not been effective. Let's just call it what it is, an ineffective offensive system. Canada must find a way to get more creative with play design and route concepts in order to fully unlock the potential the offense possess.

So, what is the one and only thing that can derail the Steelers 2023 season? If you've been following along up to now, I think you already know the answer. It would be Canada and more specifically, it would be Canada's inability to find a way to get the 'playmakers' involved in the offense.

I realize that is not 'earth-shattering' news. We have been talking about the feckless offense for two seasons; however, the 2023 season must be the season Canada puts it all together, as it were, and finds a sustainable means by which to score more points, gain more yards, and put an opponent away late in a game so that we don't have to rely on the defense week in and week out to bring home a victory.

We could go on and on here, but I think you get my point. Football is the ultimate team sport but for the last two seasons, it just felt like one side of the ball was not holding up their end of the bargain. 2023 has to be different. If it is not, we will bemoan what could have been.