Steelers’ offense has a successful day following OC’s dismissal.
Cincinnati — In the opening play of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ season following the firing of offensive coordinator Matt Canada, running back Najee Harris received a pass from quarterback Kenny Pickett and cut to the outside with 5:17 remaining.
Harris took the Steelers over 400 yards with a 13-yard run, a distance they hadn’t seen in 58 games during the regular season. In their 16-10 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, the Steelers not only ended that run, but they also outgained their opponent for the first time this season (424 yards compared to the Bengals’ 222).
Pickett remarked, “We all know what we’re capable of.” “We are confident in our ability to mount that caliber of offense each and every week. It was fantastic, but we weren’t able to accomplish it in the prior weeks. To come together in that way and release a fantastic game feels good.”
The Steelers’ offense amassed 424 yards, which was also a record since they scored 429 against the New Orleans Saints in Week 16 of the previous year.
For an offense that came into the crucial AFC North game ranked 28th in yards per game, it was a welcome sight.
“We all had a hand in Matt’s firing. We didn’t play well enough for him to keep his job, and we felt like we had to make it right now, for the guys that are still here,” center Mason Cole said. “I think we just kind of looked at each other and knew that when some of this happened, we got to play for each other.” Eddie Faulkner took over as offensive coordinator on a daily basis after Canada was fired, while quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan called plays on Sunday.
It took some getting used to Sullivan’s play calls, according to Pickett, who is close to the player.
Pickett remarked, “It’s definitely different.” “It’s a new playcaller, so you kind of get used to the flow of how he likes to call things, and that’s something that we’re going to continue to iron out, but felt like every drive we were having productive drives, moving the ball really well.”
Additionally, according to wide receiver Diontae Johnson, the offense felt noticeably different in the first game under the new coaching staff.
Johnson explained the variations by referring to “the flow of the game.” “Everything. The new calls that were arriving. Today, everyone was doing their job. The energy was different even just to look at. We completed the task today by simply moving the ball, playing, and moving on.”
Some players, like Johnson, claimed to have noticed subtle changes in the offense, while others claimed it wasn’t that significant.
“I said earlier in the week we weren’t going to have a wholesale change of the offense,” Cole stated. “That is simply not possible for you to do. But Sully and Faulk deserve a lot of praise; I’m so happy and proud of them. They are really deserving of praise. It was encouraging to watch this group gel offensively and play well together while traveling in rather unfavorable conditions and winning.”
