The Steelers changed their game-day strategy against the Titans last Thursday, and it looks like that will continue this week against the Packers.
Offensive coordinator Matt Canada worked as a side job rather than in a booth on the field to improve communication with head coach Mike Tomlin, quarterback Kenny Pickett and the rest of the offense. The Steelers won 20-16, and Pickett said after the game that he thought the arrangement worked.
Tomlin said during Tuesday’s press conference that Pickett is not alone in that opinion and that the team will likely continue to do so.
“We’re going to do whatever it takes to continue moving forward in all three phases,” Tomlin said. “We make changes every week. Obviously, it was a more obvious change because of his position. I thought word of mouth would be good. I thought it would help with communication. Coaches and players are separate. That said, I thought the give-and-take and face-to-face element could add a bit of value to our cause. Reviews were positive, so we’ll probably continue working in that area. You’ll probably end up redoing other things as you continue to improve. Again, we do things every week. Some weeks we notice them. Most weeks we don’t. .”
So far this season, little attention has been paid to the Steelers’ offensive performance, and the reviews generally haven’t been as good as Tomlin’s received for Canada’s move downstairs. But the Steelers have a winning record, and adding to that with a home win over Green Bay should continue to quell calls for bigger changes in Pittsburgh.