Mark Madden's Hot Take: Steelers' problem isn't who they draft; it's why they sit on the bench

Cam Skattebo had a huge game for the New York Giants on Thursday: The rookie running back carried 19 times for 98 yards and three touchdowns. He’s a human bowling ball.

The cry emanated immediately from Yinzer Nation and a fair hunk of the attendant stooge media: “THE STEELERS SHOULD HAVE DRAFTED SKATTEBO!”

Not true.

The Steelers picked running back Kaleb Johnson in the third round of the most recent NFL Draft, a round before Skattebo. Johnson is the same type of power back but of higher pedigree and regard. Bigger and better.

The Steelers should not have drafted Skattebo.

The Steelers should use Johnson a lot more.

Instead, Johnson is buried on the bench behind two career backups despite being a superior fit than either for coordinator Arthur Smith’s offense.

It’s exemplary of a bigger problem with the Steelers.

The Giants are playing rookies — including Skattebo and quarterback Jaxson Dart — and getting better.

Cleveland is playing rookies — five start, including quarterback Dillon Gabriel and running back Quinshon Judkins — and getting better.

The Steelers won’t risk it for the biscuit. Won’t think big picture. Won’t consider long-term improvement.

The Steelers play the safe and old by way of veteran respect and indulging the outright lie that says their antiquated method is difficult to learn.

It’s the same stupidity that ruined 2023 first-round pick Broderick Jones by making him switch to right tackle as a rookie so that Dan Moore Jr. — who stinks — could stay at left tackle. Never mind that the Steelers traded up to get Jones specifically to be their long-term left tackle. (Jones is finally at left tackle, and struggling. You reap what you sow.)

The Giants and Browns won’t be good enough by season’s end. But they will be improved.

After 18 weeks, the Steelers will be the same as now. Just older, more tired and more beat up.

It’s not about who the Steelers did and didn’t draft.

It’s about opportunity and thinking beyond the next game.

If the Steelers had drafted Skattebo, he’d be buried on the bench behind Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell. Just like Johnson. Absolutely.