As much as some Steelers fans would like to make a joke about fixing the offense not being rocket science – especially now that rocket scientist Josh Dobbs is in Minnesota – there may be some real truth in that jest.
Following a nearly six week-long absence due to hamstring issues, Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth is due to be activated from Injured Reserve soon, whether this week in Cleveland, or Thanksgiving weekend in Cincinnati.
There’s no doubt the offense could use a full complement of weapons surrounding Kenny Pickett, especially one who’s shown an ability to get open in the middle of the field. Pickett and the offense have been woeful in that regard, going 6-for-15 with an interception on passes thrown between the hashes this season. And five of those attempts -including the interception- came in Week One’s ugly loss to San Francisco.
In fact, in the two games since his rib injury against Jacksonville, Pickett has attempted exactly one – yes, ONE – pass beyond the line of scrimmage and between the hashes.
So fixing the middle-of-the-field woes in the passing game may be as simple as getting Freiermuth back.
The problem with that lies in the Steelers newfound strength on offense and Freiermuth’s lack of ability to run block at the line of scrimmage.
Now, let’s be clear: ‘Muth can block in space against linebackers and especially against defensive backs.
So why continue asking him to be an in-line blocking tight end? Especially when you have a man whose license plate should read “6TH OL,” as Mike Tomlin jokingly referred to Darnell Washington back in training camp?
Washington is already ranked as the best pass blocking tight end in his draft class, and one of the 10 best in the league, regardless of age, by Pro Football Focus. If that’s not good enough and you, like me, are more concerned with run blocking anyway, let’s eschew PFF and just use our eyes, ok?
Washington and Broderick Jones lined up together are a downfield blocking force to be reckoned with. Especially now that Isaac Seumalo has started to become what we thought he could be since coming over from Philly.
Look at the alley created on Jaylen Warren’s TD run last week. Jones is out in space eating a linebacker like a bite-sized Snickers while Washington, Seumalo, and Allen Robinson are sealing off the outside.
It’s a thing of beauty.
Earlier in the day, on Najee Harris’s TD run, it was less about brute force and more about timing and chemistry between the two.
Jones lets his man swim to the outside, Washington locks up his man, and a hole wide enough for two Najees opens up.
So we’re left with a conundrum: We need Washington for his in-line run blocking, but we need Freiermuth for his ability to work routes in the middle of the field and give Pickett an outlet under pressure.
With Pickett’s ribs, accuracy, and downfield abilities all still an issue, and the Steelers leaning in to the run game to the tune of 371 yards on the ground in the last two weeks, here’s a humble suggestion: Make Washington the starting tight end. Let Freiermuth be the slot receiver he’s meant to be.
Or, at the very least, if you’re going to insist on lining up Freiermuth as an in-line tight end, do not – I repeat, DO NOT – run to his side or ask him to seal off a defensive lineman.
I’ve been preaching it since early in the year, but this team should be running 12 personnel (1 RB, 2 TEs) the majority of the time. Let Diontae Johnson and George Pickens line up outside and do the majority of their damage on the edge. Let Freiermuth and Washington work inside.
Would it cost Allen Robinson, Calvin Austin, and even Connor Heyward some snaps? Yes. But if that’s the only obstacle to getting an offense with an average, busted-up QB going behind a run game that may have found one of the three or four best running back tandems in the game, it’s a small price to pay.
Start Washington. Put him next to Jones. Run the ball behind them. And give Pickett the outlet in the middle he needs in Freiermuth.
Just don’t ask him to block.