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Breaking Down the Reasons Behind the Steelers 0-3 Start

By Chris Ross

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 22: James Conner #30 of the Pittsburgh Steelers warms up prior to the start of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 22: James Conner #30 of the Pittsburgh Steelers warms up prior to the start of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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Maurkice Pouncey, Pittsburgh Steelers
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – NOVEMBER 09: Center Maurkice Pouncey #53 of the Pittsburgh Steelers lines up against the New York Jets during a game at MetLife Stadium on November 9, 2014 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/Getty Images) /

Offensive Line

Once among the NFL’s most dominant position groups, the Steelers offensive line has been overmatched all season long. The unit is failing to generate any push, and it’s affecting the entire offense. It’s not just one player either, as every starter has struggled at different points. Right tackle Matt Feiler takes the most blame, and perhaps rightfully so, but his Pro Bowl teammates are the real disappointments here. Maurkice Pouncey, the long-time center, hasn’t been himself this season, getting tossed aside with regularity by opposing defenders. Elsewhere, former first-rounder David DeCastro has been inconsistent, and at the other guard spot, Ramon Foster has been sloppy and ineffective. Even left tackle Alejandro Villanueva has been disappointing, going from one of the NFL’s best blindside protectors to somebody struggling to keep defenders out of the backfield.

There may be a simple reason behind the offensive line’s diminished play. The loss of coach Mike Munchak appears to be hurting the unit more than the Steelers anticipated. Munchak, regarded as one of the best line coaches in the league, left for the Denver Broncos this offseason, leaving the Steelers without their best position coach. Losing Munchak shouldn’t mean that former Pro Bowlers suddenly forget how to play football, but it’s clear that the team misses their former coach.

Turning things around on offense should start with improving the offensive line. Whether it’s changing up the scheme or merely relying on their starters to rebound, the Steelers need this unit to improve if they are to get back on track offensively.

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