During the Pittsburgh Steelers training camp back in August, Aaron Rodgers rifled a ball up the seam that reached TE Connor Heyward so quickly it hit him in the face mask and knocked him over. Then, QB coach Tom Arth swore, “That ball is still coming out with his lightning-quick release… It almost decapitated Connor.” But after four weeks into the season, that offense is sputtering already.

Although DK Metcalf continues to lead the WR room with 261 yards, Rodgers’ second target, Austin Calvin, is now out for several weeks with a shoulder injury. Throughout the offseason, that wasn’t even one of the fears that HC Mike Tomlin had. Now, though, they understand there’s no other threat outside of Metcalf and Austin in their WR room. Still, according to insider Ray Fittipaldo, the Steelers are not losing their sleep over it because of another key problem.

Fittipaldo recently joined producer Donald Chedrick on 93.7 The Fan FM, where he laid out his thoughts plainly. “They had issues getting the ball to DK in the first month of the season before the Vikings game. They had a hard time,” Fittipaldo began.

“They still have issues getting the ball to (TE) Jonnu Smith. If you add another big mouth to feed, it will get difficult for Arthur Smith. Looking at the point that they’re moving the football really well, and that opens up the passing game. But until the passing game gets to a better stop, I just don’t know if they want to add another guy.”

Across the first four games, Metcalf is leading the offensive unit with 22 targeted attempts. However, he is among the lowest with only 68% receptions with 15. Only in their Dublin game against the Vikings could Metcalf catch all 5 of the passes for 126 receiving yards. So, the problem is not that the team does not have any other option. But that even if they did get someone else, whether from the inside or via trade, they will still be stuck unless their passing game improves.

Granted, this is the first time that Rodgers and Arthur Smith are working together, but the veteran QB, despite his steady form (68.5% completion), has not had the best time connecting with the wideouts. Before he sat out W4 with a knee injury, the team’s leading receiver was Jaylen Warren, a running back, with 142 receiving yards to his name. Even with the Vikings game, except for Metcalf, Aaron Rodgers hasn’t exactly helped his wideouts rack up the most impressive numbers.

In fact, even when Austin was available, he caught 10 of 17 passes meant for him for 139 yards. Unfortunately, after him, the number only slumps down. Roman Wilson had an encouraging summer but has not found his groove yet. Through 4 games, the team has managed just 76 total receptions. Their offense stands at 27th according to Pro Football Focus.

When asked about the lack of production from his WRs and TEs through the first three weeks, Rodgers didn’t mince words, pointing out issues with protection and communication in general, rather than blaming any one player in particular.

“We didn’t have enough guys open at times,” Rodgers said. “We gotta get open. I gotta make the plays that are there, and we gotta convert on third down to keep us on the field.” 

Perhaps a trade for Tyreek Hill would’ve changed things for the better, but the Dolphins’ WR now finds himself dealing with a season-ending injury. Luckily, head coach Mike Tomlin has the all-important bye week to iron things out. Meanwhile, he’s keeping his promise with the team, unlike Tomlin has ever done before.

The Steelers’ Dublin game was both ugly and deeply meaningful. But after a 3-1 record, Tomlin fulfilled his words. The night before the Vikings game, the head coach asked the Steelers to win a game. If they did, they would get to rest in the bye week instead of practicing. 

“I promised them a sweet bye week if we got the business done,” Tomlin told reporters after the game. “I’ll probably have to fulfill that promise. There probably won’t be a lot of work in the week that lies ahead. We’ll get ourselves a good bonus on Monday and a good week’s work coming out of it, but they’re deserving of that.” 

Completing his dream of leaving Croke Park with a win for their former late owner, Dan Rooney, the Steelers snatched the game 24-21, surviving a late Vikings surge. Rodgers was efficiently threw 18-of-22 passes for 200 yds and a TD, and the defense turned into the Steel Curtain they’re known for with 6 sacks and 2 INTs. 

While they might be enjoying their Week 5 bye, the Steelers have more questions ahead of them than answers. If they truly want a deep run into the playoffs, Mike Tomlin needs to solve them soon.