Jerome Bettis: Draft will finally give Steelers ‘a capable offense’ originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Jerome Bettis has been frustrated by the Steelers’ offense the past three years, but between the hire of Mike McCarthy and the personnel moves this offseason, he is starting to get optimistic.
Even though Aaron Rodgers’ future is still up in the air, Bettis is happy with the way things are moving.
The Steelers traded for Michael Pittman Jr. in March and went offense-heavy in the draft, led by tackle Max Iheanachor in the first round and wideout Germie Bernard in the second.
“They went out and said, 'Hey, you know what? We don't have the necessary talent. Let's go and get that talent,’” Bettis told Casino Guru Canada in an exclusive interview. “Now with the addition of these draft picks, you say, 'Okay, now we're going to round out a capable offense.' That was part of the problem. They didn't have a capable offense."
Bettis, who announced the Steelers’ selection of Iheanachor, said he was surprised by the choice of Mike McCarthy as the new head coach, but believes the 62-year-old can be innovative enough to give the Steelers a lift schematically.
“He's an offensive coach, and I think that was hugely important because the Steelers offense is kind of falling behind,” Bettis said. “I think the last three years have been an eternity in terms of the development of the offense, and they're so far behind what the real elite offenses look like. It was really important to get a guy who understood the mechanics of a really good offense and how to get us there.
"Mike McCarthy, when you look at his offenses in Dallas, they put up points. I believe that he'll be able to come in and really take our offense into a new era. I think that's important."
If Rodgers does return, Bettis thinks his background with McCarthy will ultimately be a good thing, even though they butted heads at times while together in Green Bay.
"They had a tumultuous relationship to say the least when they were there," Bettis said. "I think there is a commonality. There is a sense of understanding each other. They know how to communicate with each other. I believe they know how to get the best out of each other. I think that's where the benefit is.
“Aaron Rodgers -- that opportunity to have him back -- is definitely a bit of a benefit, because McCarthy knows the strengths and weaknesses of Aaron Rodgers. He will be able to get the best out of him. He knows the offense that he needs to have around him.”