Through the first two weeks of training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense has struggled in a big way.
Of course, that’s normal this time of year as defenses are always ahead of offenses. But the Steelers’ offense with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback is under a microscope, and right now what many are seeing is very concerning.
That includes FS1’s Colin Cowherd. On “The Herd” Monday morning, Cowherd reacted to an article from The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo, which outlined the Steelers’ offensive issues so far in training camp. For Cowherd, it reads very similarly to the issues the New York Jets had with Rodgers under center.
“It’s like McDonald’s and Burger King. McDonald’s is just more buttoned up than Burger King. It’s still fast food, okay? You’re not gonna convince me it’s anything more. It’s good fast food. But my point is we’re dressing this up,” Cowherd said of the Steelers’ offensive issues, according to video via FS1. “Aaron, like a lot of older quarterbacks, if he doesn’t have a run game and he doesn’t have a number two receiver and he doesn’t trust the o-line, he are not taking hits. He not taking one for the team. Aaron’s getting rid of that puppy.
“So, this story is, it’s the Jets. Number two receiver, doesn’t trust the line, can’t run it, defensive culture.”
There are some similarities there that Cowherd hits on between the Steelers’ issues currently and what the Jets went through with Rodgers. The No. 2 WR issue was real in New York as Allen Lazard was the No. 2 receiver. But then, the Jets traded for Rodgers’ personal favorite in Davante Adams. Things didn’t get better.
The Jets’ offensive line was a disaster, and Rodgers was constantly banged up last year. So far in camp, the Steelers’ offensive line has really struggled. It’s starting to get concerning. They haven’t been able to run the ball much — if at all — either. For an offense built around running the football, you have to be able to actually do it to build around it.
And then, there’s the defensive culture. The Steelers are known for defense dating back to the Steel Curtain in the 70s. They have the highest-paid defense in the NFL, and it’s not particularly close, either. Everything goes in Pittsburgh as the defense goes.
That could be hard for Rodgers to adjust to considering his resume and his ego as a star quarterback.
Though it’s still training camp and the Steelers haven’t even played a preseason game, the issues are starting to get a bit concerning and starting to generate a great deal of buzz. The defense is in great shape and is dominating, but the offense hasn’t found its footing yet.
It’s all starting to seem just like Rodgers’ Jets tenure for Cowherd.
“And this is why I said I thought Aaron would retire and not go to Pittsburgh,” Cowherd said. “O-line issues, defensive culture, lost Najee Harris and their left tackle, the story reads like it’s the Jets. Just a more organized version.”
Not exactly a great comparison to be part of if you’re the Steelers. But talk is cheap. What’s happening right now won’t have any true bearing on the season. Remember the Kenny Pickett run in 2023 ahead of that season and how the offense looked in training camp and the preseason?
How did that end up turning out?
There’s still plenty of time. Wrinkles need to be ironed out. Players need to continue developing chemistry. Guys need to stay healthy and on the field. Patience is huge here.
