Kenny Pickett isn’t expecting major changes to the schematics of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense following the firing of former coordinator Matt Canada.
“You can’t have wholesale changes at this point,” Pickett said Wednesday, according to Joe Rutter of Trib Live. “We’re going to run the system we’ve been using.”
With Pittsburgh struggling to score and move the football, Mike Tomlin dismissed Canada on Tuesday. He cited a lack of improvement and consistency from the offense as his reason for changing course.
The Steelers’ offense, which ranks 28th in points scored and yards per play, came under heavy scrutiny for its predictable play-calling and lacklustre results. Despite the team’s 6-4 record, they’ve also been outgained by opponents in all 10 of their games.
Pickett, who’d played under Canada since he was drafted in 2022, says he took his former coordinator’s dismissal personally.
“It’s a challenge to everybody,” Pickett said. “I feel like you have to take it personal. It’s a guy you’ve worked with since I got drafted here. You want to play great, you don’t wanna see anyone get let go like that. So absolutely, we have to answer the bell (and) find out what we need to do to play better. ”
Quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan will handle the majority of play-calling duties moving forward. Running backs coach Eddie Faulkner will serve as the interim offensive coordinator.
Sullivan and Faulkner will be tasked with helping Pickett – a former first-round pick – get back on track after a disappointing series of games. Pickett’s accuracy and pocket presence have faltered – he’s completed just 59.8% of his passes for 465 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions over his last four games.
Through 22 career starts, Pickett has thrown 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions while averaging 179.4 yards per game.
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