Steelers' biggest problem is somehow flying under the radar
Arguably the hardest position in pro sports, quarterback play is the heartbeat of NFL franchises. If you have a good one (or two) the sky is the limit. But if you're even below average at the position, you might as well kiss your Super Bowl and maybe even postseason hopes goodbye. Pittsburgh is seemingly at that […]
Arguably the hardest position in pro sports, quarterback play is the heartbeat of NFL franchises.
If you have a good one (or two) the sky is the limit.
But if you're even below average at the position, you might as well kiss your Super Bowl and maybe even postseason hopes goodbye.
Pittsburgh is seemingly at that point, and there's one man to blame:
Not Exactly A Khan Artist
Pittsburgh Steelers GM Omar Khan garnered the nickname "The Khan Artist" after a series of offseason moves via free agency and the draft that netted what looked to be promising talent.
And while there is no arguing his hits when it comes to the draft class, there is one position that Khan struck out on:
Quarterback.
Yes, I am aware that Kevin Colbert was still the GM when the team drafted Kenny Pickett. But Khan was his right-hand man, and no matter what Pittsburgh is legally obligated to say in regards to the hiring process, he was being groomed to be the next GM.
But let's give Khan the benefit of the doubt with Pickett. Firstly, he didn't have the final decision, and while Kenny has either struggled, been injured, or both through nearly two seasons, the jury is still out, whether it should be or not.
The bigger problem is that Pittsburgh is now 7-6 and out of the playoff race after two embarrassing losses against inferior opponents.
The primary reason for those losses?
Poor QB play, specfically from Mitch Trubiksy.
That's where Khan comes in.
Not only did he head up the process to re-sign Trubisky, he gave him a contract that paid Trubisky to be the highest-paid backup QB in the league.
And you don't need me to tell you that Trubisky certainly hasn't performed as such but he's recorded 463 passing yards, the same amount of TDs as interceptions (3), and is completing only 60% of his passes in four appearances.
So there is plenty of blame to go around in Pittsburgh right now. No one's hands are clean when you make NFL history for losing like the Steelers just did.
And Khan deserves his credit for the draft and the revamping of the LB corps before the group was ravaged by injury.
But he has missed possibly twice and certainly once at QB, and Pittsburgh may pay the price for it.
