It’s getting ugly in Pittsburgh and Steelers fans are starting to wonder if Kenny Pickett has what it takes to truly be “the guy.”
Following their disappointing 13-10 divisional loss to the rival Cleveland Browns, the Steelers locker room was buzzing with tension.
During the game, wide receiver Diontae Johnson had to be physically separated from a member of the coaching staff, highlighting the mounting frustrations within the team.
The situation escalated further when Johnson took to social media to criticize Pickett in response to a post/video highlighting miscommunication issues between the receiver and quarterback during the game.
“Ran the route I was supposed to, sir. Just saying anything for likes, smh,” Johnson replied, adding fuel to the fire.
š„šš£š¢š„š§: #Steelers WR Diontae Johnson had to be lifted up by Broderick Jones and pulled away from a staff member because of how upset Johnson was, per @TheAthletic
āThen there was Johnson getting visibly upset on the sidelines during the second half Sunday, which wasā¦ pic.twitter.com/OcmV7SoCGa
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) November 20, 2023
However, Johnson’s tone took a different turn when he addressed the media on Monday, attempting to downplay the incident.
“We just gotta make it right at practice,” Johnson stated in an interview with ESPN. “That’s where it starts. Stuff like that happens. Can’t fault him. He’s not perfect, so I can’t sit here and blame him.”
“Not pointing fingers at nobody. I was frustrated, but you can’t just sit here and blame him. It’s part of the game.”
He almost pulled a hamstring with that back-pedal.
āFilm Donāt Lie:ā Diontae Johnson Says Thereās Times Heās Open And Not Getting The Ball https://t.co/1yHMTmKqTg #Steelers #Pittsburgh #NFL pic.twitter.com/s2VkN0m02K
— Steelers Depot 7ā£ (@Steelersdepot) November 20, 2023
Regardless, the game followed a worrying trend for Steelers fans. The offense wasn’t able to do much of anything all game long.
#Steelers Ben Roethlisberger Reacted to the Kenny Pickett Throw to Absolutely Nobody. āThere is literally nobody there. I donāt know Iām so confused.ā pic.twitter.com/qkh2HWqToR
— Dylanš®šŖ¼š (@dillybar2145) November 19, 2023
Johnson was not the only offensive player expressing dissatisfaction after the game. Running back Najee Harris voiced concerns about the team’s sustainability, particularly after the offense was outgained for the 10th time in as many games.
“In some situations, to be honest with you,” Harris said when asked if it seems like defenses know what’s coming.
The frustrations within the Steelers’ offense are not new, with wideout George Pickens previously posting “free me” on social media following Pittsburgh’s Week 9 win over the Titans.Ā
Big Ben on the Steelers Offense:
āThey need to look themselves in the mirror as an offense.ā
š„YT/Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger pic.twitter.com/28mvtg9uvq
— Matthew Luciow (@matthewluciow92) November 19, 2023
Despite some positives in the running game – Pittsburgh has rushed for 166, 205, and 172 yards in its last three games – the passing game remains a major concern.
The Steelers now face a crucial juncture in their season, with the passing game potentially becoming the deciding factor between making or missing the playoffs.
“Record-wise, we’re good,” Harris acknowledged on Sunday. “You can look at the record and say, ‘OK, we’re still good right now,’ or you can look at the record and be like, ‘If we keep playing this type of football, how long is that shit gonna last?'”
“I look at it like, ‘How long is that shit going to last?’ Y’all can look at it like it’s a good record, but this is the NFL. Winning like how we did is not gonna get us nowhere,” he added.
Najee Harris questions how long the Steelers' record will look good if they continue to play like this.
"I look like at it like how long is this shit gonna last. It's a good record but this is the NFL. Winning like how we did is not going to get us nowhere." pic.twitter.com/iOpgz9L5dB
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) November 19, 2023
Chirping seems to be an issue in Pittsburgh. Publicly criticizing and throwing your teammates under the bus is never the answer.Ā
It’s clear there are severe internal tensions that head coach Mike Tomlin is going to need to get to the bottom of before it’s too late.
At 6-4, the Steelers remain in the thick of the AFC playoff picture.
However, as Harris pointed out, it all seems to be a bit of fool’s gold.
“Pickettās passing yardage totals in the Steelersā past four games are 106, 126, 160 and 73. That is utterly unacceptable,” Mark Madden of TribLIVE.com wrote in his column.Ā
“Since the NFL-American Football League merger in 1970, 315 quarterbacks have thrown 500 or more passes. Just one has registered a touchdown on fewer than 2% of his attempts: Pickett at 1.9%,” he added.
Is Pickett a franchise quarterback?
Is offensive coordinator Matt Canada holding him (and the entire offense) back? … Or does Pickett not have what it takes to be the guy?
Are the Steelers the worst 6-4 team in NFL history???