Report: Pittsburgh Steelers to increase George Pickens targets, Jaylen Warren carries
For majority of the 2023 season, the two most effective players on offense for the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4) have been receiver George Pickens and running back Jaylen Warren.
And yet, both players found it difficult to see the ball on a consistent basis under offensive coordinator Matt Canada. That could be set to change in the Week 12 road tilt against the Cincinnati Bengals (5-5) Sunday, with Pittsburgh having relieved Canada of his duties Tuesday.
With quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan calling plays and Eddie Faulkner serving as the interim offensive coordinator, the Steelers are expected to increase Pickens’ targets and Warren’s carries, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Pickens, the second-year standout out of Georgia, leads the Steelers with 37 receptions for 604 yards and three touchdowns. Over the last four games, however, Pickens has seen just 20 targets, hauling in 10 for 104 yards and a score.
Pickens said this week he hopes the offense will be more explosive moving forward.
“I would hope so,” Pickens said. “All I can do personally is just keep working, but I would hope so.”
Warren, meanwhile, remains stuck in a timeshare with Najee Harris. Despite receiving 80 carries to Harris’ 128, Warren has rushed for nearly as many yards (493) as his teammate (499). Warren is also second on the Steelers with 34 catches and third with 234 yards. Of players with at least 50 attempts, Warren is No. 1 in the NFL in yards per carry (6.2). He’s coming off a three-game stretch which has included back-to-back 100-yard plus rushing games and two touchdowns. Warren has seen more than 50% of the offensive snaps just once this season.
Steelers looking for more offensive production after firing of Matt Canada
The Steelers, despite sitting in a playoff spot in the AFC, have been outgained in each game this season. The offense is 28th in yards per game (280.1) and scoring (16.6).
Quarterback Kenny Pickett said that Canada’s dismissal feels like a challenge for the offense to step up in the final seven games of the season.
“It’s a challenge to everybody,” Pickett said. “I feel like you have to take it personal. It’s a guy you’ve worked with since I got drafted here. You want to play great, you don’t want to see anyone get let go like that. So absolutely we have to answer the bell, find out what we need to do to play better and then just go take care of business.”