Thunderstorms in December were not something I’d ever expected in Pittsburgh in December. This game was sloppier than the conditions. A week after the offense looked to put the Matt Canada era behind them it looked like maybe he wasn’t entirely the problem. Kenny Pickett was having another productive day going 7-10 for 70 yards through the first half before suffering an ankle injury that will sideline him for a few weeks. In the play, he got injured on he had an open receiver in the end zone that he didn’t see before scrambling. Kenny has been missing receivers close to the end zone at the sight of slight pressure which is a growing concern. Injuries are also becoming quite alarming and insane for young Kenny. The Steelers were in the red zone and looking to score when Kenny hurt his ankle. Mitch came in on fourth and goal from the one and Najee got stuffed. Arizona then went 99 yards to score the go-ahead touchdown and never looked back. Two weather delays and a backup QB didn’t help much but the Steelers looked flat on both sides of the ball after the injury.
Kenny hasn’t been setting the world on fire but has been an X factor that has led to multiple wins. He doesn’t get the stats of most star QBs but when he’s out there the defense performs better and the offense seems to put up enough points. Twice this season Kenny has left close games and twice they’ve gotten away from us. Kenny’s a leader and a great guy. Is he a franchise quarterback? Maybe, maybe not. He was done a disservice by this franchise keeping Matt Canada around for so long. Eddie Faulkner and Matt Sullivan also aren’t the answer. This season isn’t over but hopes are dwindling. The off-season needs to be focused on getting a great innovative offensive mind in place to help figure out if Kenny is the guy. We have a year or two before he costs too much and the defense is too old. Also, the offensive line needs to be better. Mason Cole has been a stop-gap but he is not the answer at center in Pittsburgh. He had a few horrendous snaps, that killed plays, and one lead to a turnover. This team has had an identity for the last fifty years and it will always hold true. Blue-collar workers who find ways to win. The fan base is spoiled and wants to glory days of the Killer B’s back but where did that get us? Nowhere. Not realize that Super Bowls were won by teams like this with a solid run game, a great defense, and a quarterback that does enough to win games. Art Rooney II, Omar Kahn, and Coach Tomlin need to get into a room once the season is done and continue heading in that direction. The line is the final stop along with a coach that can get everything out of the talent.