The Pittsburgh Steelers have looked like a completely different team offensively so far this preseason. They defeated the Bills in resounding fashion on Saturday.
Matt Canada's offense has been arguably the most exciting part of this preseason for Pittsburgh faithful. Routinely on the wrong end of jokes around the league, Canada's scheme is finally working the way he intended.
Much of that likely has to do with the development of Kenny Pickett and the Steelers skill-position players. In his second year out of Pitt, Pickett looks like an entirely different quarterback, playing with a swagger and confidence that was missing much of his rookie season.
Pittsburgh is playing with confidence on both sides of the ball, as their momentum secured at the end of last season has seemingly carried over to 2023.
Steelers players to cut: Kendrick Green
Kendrick Green was extremely inconsistent on Saturday night, failing with simple blocking schemes and the center-quarterback exchange. Mike Tomlin did not mince words when asked about Green postgame.
"Not good enough. Routine things routinely, is what we expect. It doesn't get more fundamental than [quarterback center] exchanges," Tomlin said.
Green saw action as the second-string center thanks to Nate Herbig's injury. The Steelers have employed Green in some trick plays at Latrobe, using him at fullback. However, that play package won't be used often enough to warrant a roster spot on its own.
The former third-round pick has been a sore spot for Steelers fans since he was drafted. While the potential is clearly there — Green has the body type to be a solid center or tackle — the execution is not. At some point, the Steelers need to pull the plug and admit to their mistake.
Steelers players to cut: Greg Bell
Pittsburgh didn't have much success in the ground game beyond Jaylen Warren's impressive touchdown run. That says a lot about the Steelers offensive line, and the running back by committee approach they used on Saturday night.
Najee Harris hasn't received many carries this preseason. Pittsburgh wants to keep him fresh. Warren, meanwhile, is cemented as the change of pace back behind Harris, while Anthony McFarland should earn a roster spot as a veteran who excels on passing downs. Could there be room for a fourth running back?
Right now, that spot goes to Darius Hagans, per the Steelers official depth chart. The fifth back is Greg Bell, though his roster spot could very well be in jeopardy about Pittsburgh signed explosive RB Xazavian Valladay this week. Valladay didn't make much of an impact in the ground game, but he did make one catch for 22 yards, showing off his wheels in the open field.
Nick Farabaugh of Steelers Now noticed Valladay's big-play ability in practice last week. It's something the Steelers are lacking on the outside.
"The newest running back to the team, Valladay, looked good in practice, too. Mason Rudolph lofted a ball that was out of his reach, and Valladay laid out a full extension to make a pretty grab. It was a pretty great play from a running back. His quickness and burst are evident. In the team run drills, Valladay ran hard and physically. I think he certainly has a chance to push through the noise and other guys that are in front of him to nab a practice squad spot."
Considering the quirks in Canada's offense, surely they'll find a way to employ an asset like the Arizona State product. This leaves Bell in an awkward spot, and likely on the outside looking in.
Steelers players to cut: There's no room for Tanner Morgan
While this could all change if the Steelers decide to trade a quarterback, for now there isn't a roster spot available for rookie QB Tanner Morgan.
Mitchell Trubisky and Mason Rudolph are both veterans, and firmly entrenched as backups to Kenny Pickett. Should one of them go down, then perhaps Pittsburgh would keep Morgan around on the practice squad. However, having four QBs on the roster is a no-go, especially when both backups are relatively dependable at their position.
Morgan didn't make a single throw on Saturday, proving he's on the outs in Pittsburgh. The Minnesota product was excited when the Steelers called on draft day, but that was before they had brought back Rudolph on a short-term deal.
"It was the place where I wanted to go," said Morgan. "When they called, I basically accepted the deal, and my agents, they were kind of doing the work as soon as the draft ended, and as soon as I talked to Coach (Mike) Sullivan it was a done deal. When other teams called, I just said I was going to be a Steeler."
Unless Pittsburgh does something drastic, Morgan's days in black and gold will be numbered.
Steelers players to keep: Calvin Austin is proving his worth
By no means was Calvin Austin on the cut line entering this week's contest against the Bills, but he knew he could cement his status as lead return man and Swiss-army knife in Matt Canada's system if he played well. The second-year wide receiver did just that.
While Austin failed to score on the offensive side of the ball, he did look explosive as ever on special teams.
Most NFL pundits forget about Austin on a Steelers roster full on exciting young players. However, the Memphis product was one of the best return men in college football during his time as a Tiger, and showed just that against the Bills.
Austin is slated as the starting punt and kick returner, plus the backup slot receiver behind Allen Robinson. That feels right, as Austin's role on offense is only beginning and should expand throughout the year. Expect Canada to use him early and often on his jet sweep handoffs.
With Austin's success comes the inevitable truth that there may not be a place on this roster for Gunner Olszewski, who was the starting return man last season, but has since been replaced by Austin in two separate place on the depth chart. Yikes.
