For all the problems that exist with the Pittsburgh Steelers run game — and there are many — 105.9 The X radio host and TribLIVE columnist Mark Madden is also concerned about the passing game.

During the Steelers’ 26-17 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger got hit 10 times. In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Madden says that will result in Roethlisberger pulling the offense back to where it was last year — catch the snap in the shotgun and throw it as fast as possible to the first open receiver he sees.

“I expect the offense next week to be exactly like it was last year,” Madden said. “After Ben got hit 10 times, he is not going to let that happen again. There is no way. It’s going to be all shotgun. All quick release. Mark my words.”

The way Madden sees it, the offensive line’s inability to block is only part of the problem. He thinks the receivers and the quarterback need to do better as well.

“I think that receiving corps is overrated,” Madden said. “And I think it is overrated in the sense that there is no No. 1. There is not a No. 1 receiver there. I thought (Chase) Claypool showed signs at Buffalo, and he undid all that in that loss to Vegas.”

While Claypool had three catches for 70 yards, including a 52-yarder, the second-year product from Notre Dame couldn’t haul in a few combat catches — something he was drafted specifically to do, given his 6-foot-4, 238 pound frame.

“Ben isn’t getting any rhythm going to any one receiver,” Madden continued. “And I think it is unavoidable that you need to be able to do that to have an effective passing game. You need to have a go-to guy to develop a rhythm with.”

Madden believes that the Steelers receiving room needs more structure.

“My dynamic has always been that JuJu (Smith-Schuster) is the slot guy, whether he likes it or not,” Madden said. “Diontae (Johnson) is the possession guy, and Claypool is the No.1 big play go-to guy. But nobody seems to be stepping into any sort of role. Nobody seems to be establishing an identity. And as a result, the offense has no identity.”

We get into other Steelers issues on the podcast as well. They include all the injuries on defense, Mike Tomlin’s fourth-quarter decision to punt and some concerns in the secondary.

We also dive into Pitt’s deflating loss to Western Michigan, lots of big picture Penguins topics and numerous Pirates failures as well.

Listen: Tim Benz and Mark Madden discuss the Steelers loss to the Raiders, issues with the receivers, and more

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