The three preseason games went about as well as they possibly could have for the Steelers.
Three wins by a combined scoring margin of 78-32, posting at least 24 points in each of the three games, and coming away with zero major reported injuries equal to a near-perfect result. It wasn't just about those factors of domination, either, as the details of how those games were won can be read into and bring a swelling of optimism for the season opener, Sept. 10, against the 49ers.
Kenny Pickett turned in a perfect passer rating of 158.3. He completed 13 of 15 passes for 199 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions as the Steelers scored five touchdowns in five drives which Pickett led. Pickett pushed the ball downfield and did so with apparent ease, all while spreading the ball nearly evenly to his top receivers. It allowed for Najee Harris to execute a planned-out rest period while allowing for Jaylen Warren to showcase his burst and explosiveness that will factor into the running game, it gave a new-look offensive line a rock-solid base to continue to build from, and it gave Matt Canada a base line for further developing his offense into the regular season.
But, as practice returned to the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex Saturday afternoon, 3-0 suddenly reset to 0-0. There are 15 days until that season opener against the 49ers for the Steelers to build with and, in some cases, clean up. That long-but-short period of time can be taken either way, but the Steelers must maintain that level of consistency showed in the preseason. Regardless of what happens between now and then, this preseason gave the Steelers a vibe it didn't have over the previous two seasons, according to their starting running back:
"Of course, yeah. This is the best offense, I think," Harris said Saturday before practice. "And not only that but the accountability and the way that we're bonding right now and the way that we're all bought in. I think this is what -- in my two years being here, even in my first year -- we had the pieces but we didn't really understand exactly where we were as an identity yet. My second year we had a lot of questions in certain positions of who's going to be right here, who's going to be the backup right here, we don't really have it all together, and I think the end of the year we kind of understood everybody's position, the labor of work and stuff, and this year coming in, we understand everything and everybody understands their roles and how to make the most of it, make the most of your opportunities, and I think that's what's making us bond right now and look really well.
"A lot of times I even told myself and the running backs, a couple of the guys, (Mike Tomlin), and (running backs coach Eddie Faulkner), I was thinking, this all looks good right now in preseason. Our offense has looked really good, it's the best its looked since I've been here, but I think this is now where we've really got to really focus in and worry about the regular season. That's what matters most. Really not looking in too much into the media and the social media and how good that they're saying we are, really just staying focused and not buying the fool's gold."
Below is a video of all 15 of Pickett's preseason attempts. Fool's gold or not, completing 13 of 15 passes and scoring five touchdowns on five drives still means something.
— DK Pittsburgh Sports (@DKPSvideos) August 26, 2023
The offense showed consistency, tempo and, most notably, an accelerated level of aggression with Pickett seemingly in control for every snap over his five touchdown drives. Pickett's growth in Year 2 is widely expected and these clips of his poise, decision making, and arm strength and accuracy are continuations of what was shown during the sessions at Saint Vincent College.
Add his leadership into that equation.
"He's the leader," Canada said Saturday. "I think the offense is -- we're doing the same things we've done -- and I say that, obviously, we have wrinkles and differences but there's not been dramatic changes. What Kenny likes within that or with whatever we've done there -- I don't want to speak for Kenny, but -- Kenny understands and knows where to go, has the answers. If they do this, I do this. If they do this and this, then we do this and the ball can go here. I think the feeling with the guys and the ownership as far as he's the leader, and Kenny's a very outward leader, a strong leader, a commanding leader, and once you're in a system for a while and once you're around guys for a while and anything you do for a year -- it's probably like any job anybody has -- if you're there for a year you've probably got it figured out. This is what you do in May, this is what you do in June. I think he's had that time to now put his own stamp on things."
The reviews from the offense's performance in the preseason are outwardly positive. But, there is that cloud that will be cast over the South Side for the next 15 days. How do the Steelers -- on both sides of the ball -- maintain that level of consistency that was desired at many points last season, and especially in the first half? How does Pickett maintain the chemistry that has been deeply rooted with his receivers?How does the offensive line that paved the way for those touchdown drives keep form?
"We've just got to keep working every day," Canada said. "I credit our guys for the urgency hey've had from Day 1 in camp. I think we've gotten better every day. We've had a goal every day, and I think they've done a good job. I don't expect anything less from them."
Teryl Austin's defense allowed no more than 17 points in a single game this preseason, and the schedule concluded with a shutout of the Falcons on the road. The star of the preseason for this defense has been Nick Herbig with his speedy get-off and vigorous style of getting to the quarterback, but there were others who showcased more than might have met the eye going into those three games.
Joey Porter Jr. secured his first interception as a professional, the inside linebacker rotation looked better than advertised, and everything around them resulted in an 8-3 turnover margin while the opposition scored four touchdowns in three games.
There is a layover to consider within the defense, and that comes with some spots up for grabs as the 90-man roster is set to be trimmed to 53 before the deadline at 4 p.m. Tuesday. There are ongoing battles along the defensive interior and the secondary to be settled, and Austin hinted last week that there will be some tough calls to make in determining starters or, simply, who sticks around.
"I think we're like everybody else," Austin said Saturday. "We got our three games, we had our training camp practices, and we've got to be comfortable with what we're seeing with the guys out there. So, I think we'll make sure to get the right guys out there and if their role grows as the season goes on, then so be it. If it doesn't then we move on."
