Steelers Stumble in Season Opener, Face Questions Across the Board

The NFL season is a marathon, not a sprint, but the Steelers got off to a really slow start to the marathon. 

For the first time in 8 years, the Steelers began the season at home, but they hosted a stacked San Francisco team that exposed their vulnerabilities. 

The first quarter triggered flashbacks from the beginning of 2022. The offense had no running game, no time for the quarterback, poor decision-making. Kenny Pickett looked like a rattled rookie, and the preseason started to look like fool's gold. 

The defense, one of the highest-paid units in the league, felt like an overpriced middle-of-the-pack squad. Patrick Peterson's promise of an interception turned into giving up the first touchdown. Every wide receiver seemed to have ample space to catch the ball and plan their next move. TJ Watt fought valiantly to keep the energy alive, but it's a team game. Christian McCaffrey's 65-yard score marked the longest run the Steelers had allowed since Miles Sanders' 74-yard TD in 2020. McCaffrey logged over 150 yards, and Brandon Aiyuk tallied over 120 yards with two touchdowns, showcasing the 49ers' offensive firepower.

Remember when people started the "apologize to Matt Canada" tour? If Kenny Pickett has a good year, someone will want Canada to be their coach? That was a gross overreaction to the small sample size. Matt Canada continues to hurt the offense more than help it.

A jet sweep on the first drive that ruined the positive momentum is why this offense will be stagnant. There wasn’t much of an identity for that group, and the new offensive line struggled with the 49ers' defensive line. Granted, you could argue that the defense will be top 3, but there weren't many bright spots. 

All three phases for the Steelers were terrible. Stats won't paint any picture that isn't ugly. It was flat, disappointing, and a complete 180 from the preseason. Mike Tomlin and company have a lot to answer for and plenty to fix before the next game. While this game wasn't expected to be a win, the hope was for a close game or brighter moments to feel good going into the rest of the season. For now, there's a sense of hesitancy about what the future holds.