Snap Counts: Steelers Make Unexpected Offensive Adjustment

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The Pittsburgh Steelers showed off one of the benefits of their newly versatile defensive deployments and made a big change on offense in the team’s 24-17 win over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.

The offensive change came as something of a surprise, as the Steelers, playing without tight end Pat Freiermuth, played two tight ends for the majority of the game. Which tight end got the bulk of the reps was also something of a surprise. Even though Darnell Washington is listed as the second-team tight end and started the last game Freiermuth missed, it was Connor Heyward getting the most work at the position in L.A. Heyward took 51 snaps to Washington’s 31, and with 59 total snaps of offense, the second-year Michigan State product played almost the entire game.

The fact that Washington played 31 additional snaps (and Rodney Williams 11) meant that the Steelers played a whole slew of two tight end formations in that game. Perhaps the Steelers wanted additional blocking to help against Aaron Donald and company, or perhaps wide receiver Diontae Johnson is not yet back to full strength. He played just 39 snaps, while George Pickens played 53.

The changes on defense were more expected. When the Steelers went to a timeshare between three starters at inside linebacker and two at strong safety, the idea was that they could use bigger, run-first players like Elandon Roberts and Keanu Neal against run-happy teams. The better coverage players like Damontae Kazee and Kwon Alexander would play more against spread offenses.

That trend hasn’t played out as neatly as first anticipated, but it did on Sunday. Against a pass-heavy offense that almost always plays with at least three wide receivers on the field, the Steelers weren’t only trading a defensive lineman for a defensive back by using their Nickel sub package, they were changing the personnel to match the scheme fit as well.

That meant that nose tackle Keeanu Benton, Neal and Roberts all saw reductions in playing time against a more-spread offense. Kwon Alexander, Damontae Kazee and DeMarvin Leal got larger roles as a result.

STEELERS OFFENSIVE SNAP COUNTS

STEELERS DEFENSIVE SNAP COUNTS