Steelers not concerned about offense's miserable start: 'We're gonna stick with what we're doing'
The Pittsburgh Steelers are still looking for an offensive identity. Their offense struggled in three games this season, scoring just four touchdowns. Despite that, Steelers offensive coordinator Matt Canada still believes in the team's approach.
Canada told Steelers.com they were "gonna stick with what we're doing." Canada understands that's not the answer Steelers fans want to hear, but believes the offense will get it together.
"Obviously, that's not the answer and that's not the sexy answer but we believe we're on the right track. We've gotta get some cohesion up front. We're working to get that, and that's not an excuse. We've gotta produce right now, so we're not running away from it or hiding from it. But we have to continue to do what we're doing. We have to continue to put our guys in position to make plays which, until we win, when we win, we're not doing that well enough.
"That falls on me but we're not gonna try to re-invent the wheel. It's fundamental football. Everybody's doing the same stuff. It's fundamental football. We have to be better and I have to be better."
The team ranks dead last in the NFL with 159 rushing yards. The Steelers are middle of the pack when it comes to passing yards, ranking 15th. The team sits at 1-2, good for last place in the AFC North.
Ben Roethlisberger at the root of Steelers' struggles
Whether those numbers can improve depends on Ben Roethlisberger. The long-time Steelers quarterback has struggled to open the season. Through three games, Roethlisberger has thrown three touchdowns against three interceptions.
Roethlisberger, 39, has already been criticized for his throwing decisions on a multiple occasions.
4th and 10 in a compacted red zone, probably not the ideal time for #Steelers Roethlisberger to check to a running back in the flat, six yards behind the line of scrimmage. pic.twitter.com/DXg9WOqcNM
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) September 26, 2021
The blame can't fully be placed on Roethlisberger. The Steelers' offensive line has been an issue for years.
In the past, Roethlisberger would still find a way to put up numbers. Last year, when Roethlisberger was hampered after elbow surgery, he still threw for 33 touchdowns and made Chase Claypool, Diontae Johnson and JuJu Smith-Schuster a fearsome trio. Through three games this year, Claypool and Smith-Schuster are still looking for their first scores.
It's possible this is a blip on the radar. The Steelers' losses have come against the Las Vegas Raiders and Cincinnati Bengals, two of the biggest surprises in the NFL.
Pittsburgh will take on the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. The Packers won't be an easy opponent, but the team's defenses has struggled through three games. If Roethlisberger and the Steelers can't put up points during Sunday's game, drastic changes could be in order to get the offense back on track.
