The Pittsburgh Steelers have long been a powerhouse in the NFL, known for their gritty defense, blue-collar mentality, and strong team-oriented football. However, in recent seasons, the Steelers have struggled to find consistency on offense. With a young quarterback in **Kenny Pickett**, an inconsistent offensive line, and a lack of explosive playmakers, the Steelers’ offensive struggles have put a strain on their once-vaunted playoff hopes.
Enter **Russell Wilson**—the nine-time Pro Bowler and former Super Bowl champion quarterback, who spent over a decade leading the Seattle Seahawks to sustained success. While Wilson is currently with the Denver Broncos, his impact on the league is undeniable, and his insights could serve as the spark the Steelers need to ignite their offense and potentially save their season. Recently, Wilson dropped a surefire fix for Pittsburgh’s offensive woes, and if head coach **Mike Tomlin** and the Steelers take his advice, there’s potential for this offense to finally break through.
### The Steelers’ Offensive Struggles: A Quick Overview
Before diving into Wilson’s fix, it’s essential to understand the current state of the Steelers’ offense. Despite a historically strong defense led by **T.J. Watt** and **Minkah Fitzpatrick**, Pittsburgh’s offense has been a major bottleneck. Under new offensive coordinator **Matt Canada**, the Steelers have struggled to find rhythm, with inconsistent quarterback play, limited running game production, and a lack of explosive passing opportunities. Here’s a closer look at the issues:
1. **Quarterback Play**: While Kenny Pickett has shown flashes of potential, he’s still developing. His rookie season saw him face growing pains, and while there’s optimism for a breakout year in 2025, the jury is still out on whether Pickett can elevate the offense to new heights. Many wonder whether the offense is being stunted by conservative play calling and whether Pickett has the freedom to take risks.
2. **Inconsistent Running Game**: Despite having a solid running back in **Najee Harris**, the Steelers’ rushing attack has been ineffective at times. An inconsistent offensive line, combined with predictable playcalling, has made it hard for Harris to get into a rhythm.
3. **Lack of Playmakers**: The Steelers have some solid receiving options in **George Pickens** and **Diontae Johnson**, but they lack a truly explosive playmaker who can turn the game on its head with a single play. This lack of game-breaking speed in the passing game has made the offense too predictable and easy to defend.
4. **Play Calling Issues**: Offensive coordinator Matt Canada has faced significant scrutiny for his conservative, run-heavy schemes. His inability to adapt to the defense’s adjustments, paired with a reluctance to stretch the field, has resulted in stagnant offensive production and a lack of creativity in the passing game.
### Russell Wilson’s Surefire Fix for the Steelers’ Offense
During an interview, Russell Wilson, who’s seen it all in his 13 seasons as an NFL quarterback, dropped some advice that could serve as a blueprint for the Steelers to fix their offensive woes. Wilson, known for his leadership and ability to ignite an offense, emphasized two key elements that could help the Steelers regain their offensive spark: **extending plays with the legs** and **unlocking the deep passing game**.
Let’s break down Wilson’s advice and how it can apply to the Steelers:
#### 1. **Extending Plays with the Legs**
One of the hallmark traits of Russell Wilson’s career has been his ability to make plays when things break down. Whether it’s moving in the pocket, rolling out, or improvising outside of the structure of the play, Wilson has used his legs to buy time for his receivers to get open. For the Steelers, incorporating this element into Kenny Pickett’s game could be a game-changer.
While Pickett has shown some ability to extend plays with his legs, he’s been hesitant at times to take off and run when the pocket collapses. Wilson’s advice would be to let Pickett trust his instincts and use his mobility as a weapon. The Steelers’ offensive line has struggled with pass protection, and often, Pickett faces pressure almost immediately after the snap. By moving outside of the pocket and keeping his eyes downfield, Pickett can give his receivers more time to get open, particularly those with strong route-running abilities like George Pickens.
Wilson’s advice could also serve to alleviate some of the offensive line’s struggles. A mobile quarterback forces the defense to account for the quarterback as a runner, potentially opening up lanes for Harris in the running game and stretching the defense vertically. It could also result in fewer sacks and allow for more explosive plays to develop.
#### 2. **Unlocking the Deep Passing Game**
Russell Wilson has long been known for his ability to throw deep balls with accuracy and velocity. His famous connection with **Tyler Lockett** and **DK Metcalf** in Seattle was built on stretching the field vertically and forcing defenses to cover the entire field. Wilson’s second piece of advice for the Steelers was to open up the deep passing game, something that has been sorely missing from Pittsburgh’s offense in recent years.
Under Matt Canada’s scheme, the Steelers have tended to focus on short, quick throws and check-downs to running backs. While this approach can be effective at times, it’s been largely ineffective for an offense that lacks a consistent rhythm. In today’s NFL, a strong vertical passing game is crucial to opening up the rest of the offense. The Steelers’ current wide receiver corps, with talents like Pickens and Johnson, is more than capable of stretching the field. However, the offense has often been too conservative in its approach, relying on short throws rather than testing the defense deep.
Wilson’s recommendation would be to make the deep passing game a priority. This means taking calculated shots downfield, using play-action to keep defenses honest, and trusting in Pickett’s arm strength. The Steelers should also look to take advantage of Pickens’ ability to make contested catches and Johnson’s ability to create separation with his speed. By making the defense respect the deep ball, Pittsburgh can create more space for the running game and short passing attack.
#### 3. **Diversifying the Offensive Playbook**
Wilson also mentioned the importance of diversifying the playbook. In his time with the Seahawks, Wilson thrived in an offense that was built around balance—mixing up passing and running plays, incorporating motion, and using both short and deep routes to confuse the defense. For the Steelers, one of the biggest issues has been the predictability of their offense.
Matt Canada’s playbook has often been criticized for being too one-dimensional. By introducing more creativity, such as motioning players before the snap, running misdirection plays, and giving Pickett more freedom to adjust plays at the line of scrimmage, the Steelers can add unpredictability to their offense. A diversified playbook keeps defenses on their toes and forces them to adjust, making it harder to predict what the offense will do next.
### What This Fix Means for the Steelers’ Season
If the Steelers can implement Russell Wilson’s suggestions, they could see a drastic improvement in their offensive production. A more mobile quarterback in Pickett, combined with a deep passing game and a more creative offensive approach, could unlock the full potential of this offense. With a defense that is already one of the best in the NFL, a better-performing offense would elevate the Steelers back into playoff contention and beyond.
Furthermore, with the AFC North being one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL, the Steelers need every advantage they can get. By embracing these fixes, they could potentially turn their season around, improving their chances of making a deep postseason run.
### Conclusion
The Pittsburgh Steelers are at a crossroads this season, and if they hope to save their playoff chances, they’ll need to make significant improvements on offense. Russell Wilson’s advice to extend plays with the legs, unlock the deep passing game, and diversify the offensive playbook provides a clear roadmap for how the Steelers can reignite their offense. With a young quarterback in Kenny Pickett and a defense that can carry the team, making these adjustments could be the key to turning their season around and getting back to the playoffs. If the Steelers take Wilson’s words to heart, there’s every reason to believe that this team could once again become a contender in the AFC.
