Mark Madden: Let Aaron Rodgers call plays, feed DK Metcalf and more things the Steelers can try

The Steelers are 6-5 but seem in disarray.

Linebacker Patrick Queen questioned the defensive scheme after the 31-28 loss at Chicago this past Sunday. Ex-Steeler Trai Essex agreed, saying, “It’s not a talent issue. It’s definitely schematics.”

Former Steeler James Harrison, like Essex a two-time Super Bowl champ, turned his attention to the offense: “The offense is trash! The coordinator (Arthur Smith) is trash!”

Mike Tomlin led off his weekly press briefing Tuesday by focusing on an odd target: He thought the defeat at Chicago was affected by kickoffs and punting.

The Steelers’ pass defense ranks second-to-last in the NFL. But Tomlin spoke about kickoffs and punting.

Tomlin also said quarterback Aaron Rodgers didn’t play at Chicago because he didn’t practice enough. Before the game, Tomlin speculated that Rodgers might play despite not practicing much because a veteran like Rodgers doesn’t need to.

Rodgers has a broken left wrist. It won’t heal much in a week. Why can he play this coming Sunday vs. Buffalo but didn’t at Chicago? Why can he practice now but not then?

It’s all very confusing.

That’s fine by Tomlin.

Con men rely on deception and distraction. Don’t look here. Look over there.

The Steelers led the AFC North by 3½ games over Baltimore after Week 6. Now the teams are tied.

It feels like potential for the season has hit rock bottom.

But I’m known for being positive and constructive. That’s so fetch.

So here are some things the Steelers could try.

I might not know ball. But the Steelers’ coaches might not, either.

• Let Rodgers (if he plays) call the plays. I trust Rodgers more than Smith. Quarterbacks don’t call plays beyond pre-snap audibling. But Smith’s offense isn’t working. Maybe bring back Matt Canada. Smith is the equivalent of Canada but with more tight ends.

• Make Roman Wilson the No. 2 wide receiver and give him targets. Besides DK Metcalf, Wilson has the most potential at wideout.

• Force-feed balls to Metcalf. Rodgers can put balls in tight spaces. Make Metcalf earn that outsized paycheck. Make him compete better for contested catches. The Steelers gave Metcalf a four-year, $132 million contract. At that price, he should work through his weaknesses.

• Use the middle. Try more deep shots. Take risk in the attempt for reward. Long drives are passe. The NFL is a quick-strike league.

• Bench Darnell Washington. He’s just an oversized freak show with a Yinzer-friendly nickname and a viral moment to his credit. Make Washington a tackle next year. Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith are legit tight ends. Freiermuth and Smith should be utilized more and better.

• Ditch the jumbo package. It’s 2025, not 1933. The Steelers should be able to run the ball effectively out of standard formations.

• Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell have done OK. Maybe rookie Kaleb Johnson can do better. Use him more. Find out. He has size (6-foot-1, 224 pounds) and power. He’s not good at blitz pickup? Don’t use him on passing downs. Big back, not jumbo package.

• Blitz more. Use press coverage more. The defensive backs stink. How much worse could the Steelers’ pass defense get? Make the defense more dynamic. Take risks. Play to Joey Porter Jr.’s strength. Use Porter’s talent properly instead of hiding what others lack.

• Make T.J. Watt line up at different places besides his preferred spot at left outside linebacker. If he won’t, make him watch tape of Myles Garrett lining up in various locations. If Watt still won’t, bench him. Watt’s performance is in decline. He needs to try different things and shouldn’t be his own boss.

• Use Malik Harrison more. He’s a run-stuffing, downhill-style inside linebacker. Harrison would restore balance at inside linebacker. Queen and Payton Wilson are both finesse-y.

• These players shouldn’t see the field except on special teams and/or in case of emergency: Chuck Clark, Connor Heyward, Scotty Miller, Ben Skowronek, Darius Slay and probably more. Don’t use players who aren’t good enough. Play your better players more. You have no choice with this haphazard roster.

Like I said, I allow for the possibility that I don’t know ball.

If you think that’s true, I’m not insulted. Just keep losing via doing the same. Rather, not winning enough.

It’s a recent Steelers tradition in the same vein as eight seasons without a playoff victory.

9-8 is still within reach, even likely.

Maybe that’s all that matters.