Matt Canada doesn’t seem to realize he’s to blame for George Pickens’ complains

George Pickens wants the ball, and Steelers OC Matt Canada doesn’t seem to realize it’s his job to make that happen

Right now, Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Matt Canada is looking like the “we’re all looking for the guy that did this!” meme.

George Pickens is upset. He’s been caught on camera the last two games pleading for the ball. “Pleading” might be putting it nicely. He’s more or less demanding more targets. Some fans love the energy, some think it’s rookie immaturity expressing his desire to be involved in the wrong way.

Regardless of how you feel, he has a case, the rookie wide receiver got just two targets in Pittsburgh’s last game.

Canada spoke on the way Pickens has expressed his desire to get the ball:

“George wants the ball and I want George to have the ball, so does everybody else. Sometimes the ball doesn’t find you and he will continue to learn and grow on how to, you know, talk about that and do those things but the fact that George wants the ball, nothing wrong with that. We just have to express it in the right way.”

Does Matt Canada realize his job is to run this offense? If he wants Pickens to get the ball, he has direct control over the plays that are called and how high of a priority targeting Pickens is in the offense.

Steelers are passing the ball less, part of why George Pickens isn’t getting the ball

The Steelers went 2-6 in their first eight games of the year, and in those eight games they averaged 36.9 passing attempts per game and 23.8 rushing attempts. In the four games since, the Steelers have gone 3-1, averaging 32.0 passing attempts and 35.0 rushing attempts.

That’s a decrease of 13.3% in passing attempts and an increase of 47.1% in rushing attempts. Clearly, the offense has become more focused on a ground attack, and as a result, receivers have not been as integral. The Steelers have won in the process.

Pickens’ tantrums put Canada in a tough spot here when he has to answer for them, but he should just come out and say that the run game has taken priority and that it’s working. Saying he wants George to get the ball isn’t entirely true: Canada wants to win, and right now the Steelers are winning by passing less.

As a result, Pickens won’t get as many targets. It’s not personal, none of the receivers are top of mind right now. Winning football games is.