Struggling to produce so far, Steelers WRs know they need to make plays for Kenny Pickett

Chris Adamski | Friday, October 7, 2022 4:41 p.m.

Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review

New York Jets defensive back Lamarus Joyner breaks up a pass intended for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Chase Claypool during the third quarter of this past Sunday’s game at Acrisure Stadium. Claypool did not have any receptions in the game, extending a trend in which the Steelers’ wide receivers corps has not produced much this season.

It might not take a village to foster the development of an NFL rookie quarterback, but his wide receivers corps being productive and making plays certainly would help.

This season, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ wide receivers haven’t produced all that much. With rookie Kenny Pickett making his first NFL start Sunday, the WRs could help lift him in a way they seemingly failed to do over the first three games for veteran Mitch Trubisky.

“It’s our job as receivers to go out there and make the quarterback look good,” receiver Diontae Johnson said, “whether it’s Kenny or Mitch. That’s our job on the bottom line, and that’s what we’ve got to continue to do. We’ve just got to make more plays down the field, and just in general.”

Through four games this season, the entirety of the Steelers’ wide receivers corps has managed 45 catches for 454 yards and zero touchdowns. That averages out to 11 catches for 113.5 yards and no scores per game for a group of five wide receivers who have been active for every game.

Of that group, neither Gunner Olszewski nor Miles Boykin has a catch. Boykin has been targeted just once, and Olszewski, a return specialist, has two carries.

The Steelers appear to making a change for Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills, though, replacing Olszewski as returner with Steven Sims. That likely would mean Olszewski will not be in uniform, and perhaps the speedy Sims could provide a spark in his season debut. Also, rookie fourth-round pick Calvin Austin III returned to practice this week, and his activation off the injured reserve list soon could follow. That also could add playmaking to the WR unit.

Regardless, the receivers recognize their production needs to improve.

“You always want to make plays for the quarterbacks,” said receiver Chase Claypool, who was held without a catch during last week’s loss to the New York Jets. “You want them to give you a chance and you want to give them a chance.”

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