Pickett: Steelers must find offensive identity
Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett addressed Pittsburgh's offensive struggles Wednesday, saying the team has yet to find an identity this season.
"We've got to find it. Clearly, we don't have one," Pickett said, according to team reporter Dale Lolley.
"It's a team game, the ultimate team game. One guy does something wrong on a play, as an offense, it usually doesn't go your way. So, we've got to stay together. Don't let the popcorn effect happen, which is one guy on each play."
Pittsburgh edged the Cleveland Browns 26-22 on Monday, bouncing back from a 30-7 home loss to the San Francisco 49ers in its season opener. Despite the Week 2 victory, the Steelers' offense struggled again, with the defense scoring two of the three touchdowns. Wide receiver George Pickens found the end zone on a 71-yard catch-and-run.
The Steelers beat the Browns without running any plays inside Cleveland's 30-yard line, according to NFL reporter Dan Pizzuta.
"There's good plays and there's bad plays. That's the way it's going to go every game. There's just too much bad popping up that we have to get off tape," added Pickett, who's completed 60.5% of his passed for 454 yards and two touchdowns against three interceptions in two games.
"The attitude is going to be there. People are frustrated. Nobody likes to be playing like that. From a fan base standpoint, a player standpoint, nobody wants that offense out there that we're putting out right now. We know we have to be better. We're going to keep pushing for that."
Offensive coordinator Matt Canada - who's been in the role since 2021 - has been heavily criticized, and fans chanted for his termination during the Browns matchup. Head coach Mike Tomlin recently said the team has to get its "mojo back" but doesn't plan to make any major changes. Pittsburgh's offense has ranked outside the top 20 in points and yards for two straight years.
The Steelers visit the 1-1 Las Vegas Raiders in Week 3.