Changes are not coming to the Steelers' offense. At least, not in terms of personnel.
On multiple occasions, Mike Tomlin has stated that he's open to making changes if it would produce better outcomes. Even with the offense sputtering and his team 2-5, Tomlin made it abundantly clear Tuesday that no changes are on the horizon, and he only needed seven words: "Because I don't feel like I'm there."
This really shouldn't come as any surprise. Tomlin didn't have some sort of epiphany in less than 48 hours since he answered Dejan Kovacevic's question that asked if the offense was getting any closer to forming an identity.
"I feel like we are, but we didn't make the necessary splash plays today to secure victory," Tomlin said Sunday night. "But I certainly feel like we are. Certainly."
There are a lot of fans calling for Matt Canada's job. He's in charge of an offense that ranks dead last in the NFL with 4.8 yards per play, 31st with 15.3 points per game and 30th with 298.6 yards per game. The switch from Mitch Trubisky to Kenny Pickett hasn't provided the spark they've hoped for in the passing game as they still rank 31st in the NFL with 6.1 yards per pass attempt.
But, for better or worse, it seems as if Tomlin will ride the rest of the way with Canada in tow as his offensive coordinator. There is no precedent to suggest anything else. The next coach Tomlin fires midseason will be his first. There's no reason to believe anything of the sort will happen. It truly is a case of, "I'll believe it when I see it."
That might not sit well with anyone who reads this column, and I expect many to be very vocal about it in the comments.
From what has transpired thus far, the best way I can decipher what is happening is the Steelers are rebuilding without officially slapping the dreaded R-word on the 2022 season. Tomlin was relatively quick to pull the trigger in putting the quarterback of the future (at least, who they believe is the future) at the helm of the offense.
That's come with its fair share of growing pains. Even with some of the spectacular plays he's made, Pickett has still thrown seven interceptions to only two touchdowns. While he has no issue with being hard on the defense when they fail to cash in on would-be interceptions, Tomlin's demeanor and attitude about Pickett represents that of a coach who is willing to let the rookie quarterback learn on the fly, even while mistake pile up.
"I’m not overly communicating those conversations. He’s playing and playing to win. There’re some things to be learned, but they’re not producing unusual conversations between he and I regarding that," Tomlin said Tuesday. "We’ve got to take care of the ball every week. That’s our mindset. ... But in terms of our agenda, our preparedness, our focus, how we develop plans and his role in it, ball security is a significant component week in and week out."
The rest of the offense's core has notable young players. George Pickens is a rookie. Najee Harris and Pat Freiermuth are both in their second year. Chase Claypool is a third-year guy. It's clear Tomlin would rather galvanize this young group together amid whatever adversity rather than pull off something as complicated as firing an offensive coordinator midseason.
After all, the long-term future of this core is vastly more important than what the Steelers do in 2022. It's not like this team was built to compete for the Super Bowl this season anyway.
But, for the anti-Canada crowd, there may be a sliver of solace taken from Tuesday's press conference. Canada's offensive scheme uses a heavy dose of pre-snap motion and jet sweeps. Tomlin was asked about the purpose of them in the offense, which is to try and stretch out the defense and eventually widen the holes up the middle.
However, Tomlin's words lacked enthusiasm for that part of the Pittsburgh offense.
"It’s just a function of ball. It’s not anything earth shattering or even innovative at this point, to be quite honest with you," Tomlin said. "Everybody in football every week -- I'm turning on tapes and I see jet sweeps coming from just about anybody in an effort to control those perimeter gaps and maybe create more space inside."
Nothing earth shattering? Or even innovative? What was once thought to possibly be a game-changer in Canada's offense has turned into something that's earned a Tomlinism.
"At times, they’ve been really effective," Tomlin said regarding jet sweeps. "At times, they’ve been popcorn; they’ve been hit or miss."
If Tomlin says something like this in preparation for Week 8, that might be all you need to know for Canada's future as the offensive coordinator. His eventual demise may not come as quickly as you'd like. But, if Tomlin is seriously considering moving on from Canada, waiting until after the season might be the lesser of two evils in terms of protecting his rookie quarterback's development.
MORE FROM THE SOUTH SIDE
• Claypool's postgame comments about needing more chunk plays raised questions about it Tuesday afternoon at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. His answer suggested the Steelers want to stretch the field more often, but there are a number of variables that have prevented that thus far, including failure to win one-on-one battles, taking what the defense gives underneath and critical penalties that move the offense behind the chains.
"Keep working. Keep working. With continuity, it raises your floor. When you raise your floor and minimize negativity, you increase the potential for positivity," Tomlin said. "Sometimes, the changes that need to occur aren’t significant ones. They’re just continuing to work and understanding that the dam’s going to break in terms of those opportunities happening. I know staying on schedule and not being behind the chains is a component of that as well."
• As far as Pickett's final interception, Tomlin said he hasn't had a one-on-one discussion with him about judging when to throw the ball and when to take off running, especially when there is field to work with on the ground. But, there is conversation amongst the offensive coaching staff as Pickett learns to navigate the NFL game.
And, Tomlin doesn't necessarily want his first-round quarterback taking off every chance he gets.
"He’s always allowed (to run). You’ve got to give a quarterback latitude to do what comes natural, particularly those with mobility," Tomlin said. "The only framework that I put on it is that I say the prudent use of mobility, because with quarterback mobility comes exposure and risk, so we need to proceed prudently. That’s the only guardrail, if you will, that I put on him from that perspective."
• At the same time, Tomlin really has been impressed with how a rookie such as Pickett has handled adversity, specifically talking about the way he tried to lead the team back late in the loss to the Dolphins.
"He is a fish in water. It’s a natural act for him. He’s a competitor. He’s got a thirst for it. It’s been fun being in those circumstances," Tomlin said. "Obviously, we want the outcomes to be different. But to communicate with him professionally and to watch him operate, to watch his demeanor, to watch his approach to those circumstances, it’s exciting and refreshing."
• The Steelers escaped Miami with minimal injuries. Levi Wallace is being evaluated for a shoulder injury that could limit him this week, and Josh Jackson is now dealing with a groin injury.
• All of the Steelers players that cleared concussion protocol prior to Sunday night's game left Miami without any issue. For those who deeply care about the issues regarding concussions and head trauma in football, that is fantastic news.
• Tomlin said any inclusion of T.J. Watt or Calvin Austin this week is "highly unlikely." While that's not surprising for Watt, who isn't expected to return until after the bye week, Austin's news potentially comes with a heavy hand. His 21-day window to return from injured reserve ends by the end of day Wednesday. If the Steelers do not activate him by then, he will be out for the rest of the season.
Regarding Austin's availability, Tomlin said he hasn't really asked the medical staff about Austin's participation yet this week. Why? There are more pressing matters, such as the undefeated Eagles.
"It’s the early portions of the week. We’ve been more in the schematics and the game plan," Tomlin said. "I’m sure I’ll get some clarification a little later, maybe even later on today. It just hasn’t been high priority for me at this juncture. This guy hasn’t played in a stadium yet anyways. He hasn’t played in a preseason stadium. So, it’s more about development for him, and that’s the perspective that I have. I’m just being realistic, up or down, active or inactive. His overall readiness this weekend, it’s probably not a high probability, and I’m just being straightforward."
• My own two cents: While Austin certainly could be a nice addition to the offense and special teams, his return isn't going to be the move that puts the offense over the top. A fourth-round rookie receiver isn't going to be same sort of savior for an anemic offense.
• Watt's absence continues to be felt in every way as the Steelers failed to get to the quarterback once again. While Tomlin is encouraged by the way the defense has played overall in the past few games, he still recognizes they aren't getting the job done up front. After all, the defense lives and dies with the ability to get to the quarterback.
"We’ve got to get more pressure on the quarterback. We’ve got to find ways to do that," Tomlin said. "Particularly when you’re faced with the challenge that we’re faced with this week (in Philadelphia) from a quarterback mobility standpoint, we’ve got to get home more. That’s something that could increase the turnover opportunities that we lacked particularly last week."
• Tomlin has worked his way back from a losing record to finish at least .500 in the past. With the easier stretch of schedule after the bye week, and the potential return of Watt, it wouldn't be unprecedented for Tomlin to pull it off again. However, as he often is, Tomlin is only focused on the team he is currently coaching, not previous installments.
"I’m not looking to lean on it," Tomlin said. "That’s my experience, not necessarily this collective’s experience. My focus is on the challenges and the variables that apply to this group."
