Former NFL scout and coach turned Analyst, Nate Tice, has voiced strong criticism regarding the coaching of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ wide receivers. In a recent episode of his podcast Football 301, hosted by Yahoo Sports, Tice singled out Steelers wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni, expressing disappointment with the lack of precision and attention to detail in the receiving corps under the guidance of new offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith.
Tice didn’t hold back in his assessment. “The receivers look really poorly coached,” he stated. “I’ve watched some of these guys in different situations before, like Calvin Austin, and now they’re consistently making mistakes? Something is off, and it’s worth paying attention to.”
While it’s no secret that the Steelers are thin on talent at the wide receiver position, leading to speculation about potential trades for elite talents like Davante Adams or DeAndre Hopkins, Tice’s critique goes beyond a mere lack of skill or ability.
His focus is on fundamental issues—things like bad route spacing, incorrect route execution, and a general absence of the detailed coaching needed to excel in the NFL.
Zach Azzanni, who was brought in with the specific goal of guiding George Pickens in his development, has struggled with these exact problems before, which might explain his brief stint with the New York Jets, where he was let go after just one season.
Tice’s comments suggest that these issues are now plaguing the Steelers as well, raising concerns about Azzanni’s ability to address critical flaws in the wide receiver unit moving forward.
