The Pittsburgh Steelers coaching staff are facing a monumental challenge this week. No, I’m not talking about the Cincinnati Bengals. They are 0-10 and can’t seem to get out of their own way. The challenge is going to find a way to move the football and put up points of offense with the litany of injuries they are dealing with right now.
But if offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner can get a little creative, the talent is on this team to get the offense back on track. Here are four ways.
Throw. To. The. Tight. End.
It would be different if the Steelers didn’t have a tight end capable of catching the football. But Vance McDonald is more than capable of doing it. He had 33 receptions in 2018 but only 10 so far this season. He’s a big target who fights for every yard. After watching the Steelers defense get torched by tight ends week after week you would think the coaches might pick up a tip or two.
Running backs in motion
One of the best ways to utilize the skills of running back Jaylen Samuels is as a receiver. But he doesn’t have to simply be out of the backfield. One thing the Steelers offense hasn’t done a great job with it trying to create mismatches. Motioning Samuels out of the backfield and lining him up in the slot could get him singled up on linebackers where he should have success.
Add some talent
It’s only Tuesday. The Steelers have plenty of time to search free agency and practice squads for talent at running back and wide receiver. There’s no position easier to integrate on short notice than running back. Watching this group run the ball in recent weeks, I have no doubt there are players with more talent on the street right now than what Pittsburgh has.
Get the offensive line on board
Even the best running backs to ever play had to have the help of their offensive line. The Pittsburgh offensive line has as much talent as any in the league but they certainly don’t always play like it. Guard Ramon Foster came back last week from his concussion but should be 100 percent now. If there was ever a time for the best unit on the offense to play like it, this week is the time especially rallying without starting center Maurkice Pouncey.
