In the first game since the trade deadline, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense had its worst showing of the year. By far. Managing just 10 points in a 15-point defeat Sunday night, seven of which came in garbage time, QB Aaron Rodgers played a miserable game. His receivers did him little favors, struggling to get open or catch the football. Monday, Adam Schefter reminded of the front office’s attempt to get better ahead of the Chargers game.
“They were in on Jakobi Meyers, they made calls on Jaylen Waddle,” Schefter said on ESPN’s Get Up. “They made calls on all the receivers that were out there trying to get somebody else in there. They recognized that they needed help. They just didn’t get it.”
His comments are consistent with reporting leading up to and since last Tuesday’s deadline. Meyers was the closest player Pittsburgh landed, reportedly offering the same trade terms as the deal that sent him from Las Vegas to Jacksonville. Meyers chose the Jaguars over the Steelers out of greater opportunity. A fair assessment given the structure of Pittsburgh’s offense and especially after watching Rodgers languish against the Chargers’ defense.
While adding Meyers may have helped, it wasn’t going to change the tone of last night’s game. Rodgers looked out of sorts and struggled to hit open receivers. Even an average game from him would’ve given the Steelers a chance to win. He was at his worst during a three-play sequence early in the fourth quarter, throwing three-straight incompletions as Pittsburgh turned it over on downs deep in Los Angeles territory.
Meyers himself experienced heartbreak in his Jacksonville debut. The Jaguars blew a 29-10 fourth quarter lead to fall to the Davis Mills-led Houston Texans, 39-26. Meyers caught three passes for 41 yards.
Pittsburgh’s offense simply needs more big plays. A lack of downfield passing game is limiting the menu and allowing defenses to take away the quick game. Rodgers was skittish in the pocket and struggled to see the field well. The team’s problems go far deeper than missing a No. 2 receiver, though it’s easy to make the critique days after the deadline. For those who think the Steelers’ season is effectively over after last night’s loss, all the more reason not to trade multiple draft picks for a half-season rental like Meyers.
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