Diontae Johnson of the Steelers Takes Responsibility for Team’s Offensive Struggles; WR Proposes Solutions
PITTSBURGH – In a surprising turn of events, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense had a disappointing performance during their 20-10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. The game started with a missed deep connection between quarterback Kenny Pickett and Diontae Johnson, which set the tone for the rest of the game. Despite having multiple opportunities, the Steelers struggled to find their rhythm and were unable to capitalize on important plays.
The Steelers’ offense has been plagued by slow starts throughout the season, and Sunday’s game was no exception. Despite their efforts to overcome these slow starts in previous games, their lackluster performance against the Jaguars frustrated the team’s top receiver, Diontae Johnson. He expressed his frustration with the offensive struggles, attributing the blame to the players rather than offensive coordinator Matt Canada.
Johnson’s return from a hamstring injury has been a bright spot for the Steelers’ offense. Despite missing a significant portion of the season, Johnson has made an impact in recent games, including a solid performance against the Rams and a strong showing against the Jaguars. He believes that his return will alleviate pressure on the offense and create more opportunities for one-on-one matchups.
However, the Steelers’ offense still needs to address their slow starts and improve their overall performance. Johnson emphasized the importance of making big plays early in the game to set the tone and gain momentum. He acknowledged that he and George Pickens need to step up and provide a spark for the offense.
The Steelers’ struggles cannot be solely attributed to the quarterback position. Despite Pickett’s rib injury that forced him to sit out the second half, backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky’s interceptions hindered the team’s progress. Nevertheless, the offensive players understand that they need to eliminate mistakes and make plays regardless of who is under center.
In addition, the Steelers’ running game was virtually nonexistent against the Jaguars. The lack of success on the ground allowed the Jaguars’ defense to focus on stopping the passing game, which further hindered the offense’s performance. The Steelers’ offense must find a way to establish a balanced attack to be successful moving forward.
Despite the disappointing loss, the Steelers must quickly move on and prepare for their Thursday night game against the Titans. The short turnaround provides both physical and strategic challenges for the team, but it also presents an opportunity to bounce back from a poor performance. The players recognize the need to learn from their mistakes and improve as they look to erase the memories of Sunday’s game.
Overall, the Steelers’ offense has struggled to find consistency since their strong start to the 2020 season. The team is aware of the frustration from fans and the pressure to succeed. With a roster filled with talented players, including stars like T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick, the Steelers aim to compete for championships. However, their lack of success over the past few seasons highlights the need for the offense to find its identity and perform at a high level.
Until they do so, the Steelers’ offense must remain resilient and continue to fight. Despite the setbacks and missed opportunities, the team must stay focused on the next game and work towards improvement.