The Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive struggles and identity crisis have ignited discussions across the NFL community, drawing the attention of former star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Roethlisberger was to the point on his podcast, Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger, where he expressed concerns about the team's direction and the erosion of its core values on offense. On The Pat McAfee Show Thursday, Chuck Pagano, former head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, joined the conversation when McAfee brought up Roethlisberger's remarks.
McAfee suggested that Mike Tomlin, the legendary Steelers head coach, should address Roethlisberger's criticisms with the team, specifically regarding the perceived lack of leadership on offense. Pagano, however, had a different perspective. He questioned the necessity of addressing the issue with the entire team and instead suggested a one-on-one conversation between Tomlin and Roethlisberger.
"Why are you going to address it? The first thing I do is pick up a phone and have a, you need to come down here and have a sit down with Ben. He finally went to one game right? He’s been to one game. If you’re here Wednesday, Thursday, you’re at practice, you’re this, you’re that, you’re hanging out, you’ve got a feel for our locker room, you know exactly what’s going on. I mean it’s easy for us all to sit back and look.”
Pagano's comments seemed to shift some responsibility onto Roethlisberger, suggesting that if he wanted to effect change, he should spend more time with the team, rather than airing grievances on a podcast. The implication was that Roethlisberger should immerse himself in the locker room culture to help restore the once storied Steeler Way.
Additionally, Pagano touched on a significant issue plaguing the Steelers, the quarterback situation, or lack thereof. He asserted that the Steelers lack a quarterback, emphasizing that having a capable quarterback is crucial for success in football at any level.
“If you have a quarterback, he’s not saying s***. Nobody’s saying nothing. You’re winning football games with this team.”
Indeed, the absence of consistent and reliable quarterback play has been a glaring issue for the Steelers in the 2023 season. Kenny Pickett, who showed slight promise before his injury, and Mitch Trubisky, who was brought in as a replacement, have struggled to provide the consistent performance the team needs.
Trubisky was never destined to be the solution, but as the highest-paid backup quarterback in the league, one would expect him to secure more victories. It's a troubling sign when your quarterback's performance leaves people reminiscing about Pickett, a player whose potential remains uncertain.
Steelers’ Desperate Need For A Franchise Quarterback
Pickett's performance raised questions about whether he could be the franchise quarterback of the future. While he demonstrated the ability to consistently win close games, he struggled to lead the Steelers back when they fell behind, often leading to insurmountable deficits.
Trubisky's tenure with the Steelers has been less than stellar, with only two wins in six starts, leaving him with a 2-4 record as a starter in Pittsburgh. The team's failure to develop Trubisky further has been evident, and Mason Rudolph, an option that has been sidelined since 2021, has not been given a significant opportunity to showcase his abilities.
The heart of the issue appears to be twofold, a potential culture problem within the team and the absence of a dependable quarterback. If the Steelers had a quarterback who could consistently pass for multiple touchdowns and 250+ yards, it's likely that more players would buy into the team's culture and vision.
The upcoming 2024 NFL Draft presents an opportunity for the Steelers to address their quarterback situation. With a wealth of quarterback talent available, the team must identify a promising prospect to provide competition and pressure in the quarterback room.
While Pickett remains a possibility, bringing in another talented quarterback is essential to ensure the Steelers have a viable option under center. The search for a franchise quarterback continues, as Trubisky has not proven to be the answer, and Rudolph remains on the sidelines, waiting for his chance to shine. That leaves Steelers fans with Pickett as the best option and it’s starting to become harder and harder to defend him.
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