Jason Mackey: Steelers' pass-catching plan is starting to come into focus -- and it makes sense

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Should we have seen this coming?

No, not Ben Skowronek's 22-yard touchdown reception late in the first quarter Sunday, although the connection with Aaron Rodgers is certainly part of the storyline. I mean how the Steelers' collection of pass-catchers performed during their 34-32 victory over the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.

Better than I expected, honestly. And enough that I'm considering walking back my previous belief that they so desperately need a No. 2 wide receiver.

Not if what the offense did against the Jets continues, which was a welcomed departure from how the Steelers offense functioned a year ago with Russell Wilson.

Seven players caught passes from Rodgers. Kenneth Gainwell, Pat Freiermuth, Calvin Austin III, DK Metcalf and Jonnu Smith were all targeted at least three times — but nobody more than seven, those belonging to the unquestioned top dog of the group in Metcalf.

It was a logical distribution of work, as well as evidence that Rodgers means what he says.

Get open, and he'll find you.

"We're all options on every play," Skowronek said. "That's what Aaron always tells us: run every route to get open."

While the Steelers' other offseason project, their expensive defense, struggled to contain the run on Sunday, I'd argue the one thing they seemingly never solved — obtaining enough pass-catching depth — was encouraging.

Sure, I want to see it against tougher competition, but I like how Rodgers spread the ball around. It made sense. The Steelers also used the middle of the field and ran a neat flip to Smith for a score.

But let's start with the Skowronek score.

It featured a play-action fake and a solid block from Jaylen Warren. Lined up in the slot, Skowronek found a soft spot in coverage. True to his word, Rodgers found him. Which hilariously added another log on this fire.

All throughout training camp, Rodgers said Skowronek would hound him to go get some type of custard. They went a bunch, Skowronek insisted. Maybe that was part of building some sort of camaraderie, but even Rodgers said he was surprised to see Skowronek all alone.

"I couldn't believe coming off that fake that he was wide open," Rodgers said. "I was throwing the ball thinking, 'Man, Ben's going to score the first touchdown today.'

"And then I went into the locker room and saw the worst thing that could happen to Ben. That's a crowd full of reporters around him to get his head bigger than it already is. But I really like Ben, and I'm proud of that play he made today."

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin continued the ruse by saying that Skowronek sometimes has a "somewhat unrealistic belief in self," but my brain actually went to another place.

Can you imagine Russell Wilson going to get custard? Would he do it in his uniform? Would it actually be without an entourage and by appearing as a human being instead of a robot programmed to spew only relentless positivity? Probably not.

Whether you like Rodgers or hate him, I appreciate how different his personality feels from that of Wilson. It's also delightful to see the Steelers once again using the middle of the field, another indicator that the Skowronek play might've never happened last season.

If that wasn't enough, there's a 180-degree culture change that has occurred with this group. George Pickens is busy delivering clotheslines and pedestrian stat lines in Dallas. Meanwhile, it seems the Steelers have a group that genuinely pulls for one another.

Take the tight ends, for example.

A few weeks back, I was chatting with Freiermuth at the UPMC Rooney Complex when I tried to frame a question in a funny-but-crass kind of way. Essentially that he hasn't been a selfish [jerk] when it comes to the addition of Smith. Why?

"It's not about me," Freiermuth said. "It's about the betterment of the team. [General manager] Omar [Khan], the front office and [team president] Art [Rooney II] know Jonnu can help us win and win now. That's what I'm here for.

"Any time that we can add someone who can help us win games, there's no bad blood. Jonnu's a great guy. I'm excited about what we can do as a team and what he can do on offense.

"I'm just excited for this year."

I've certainly been critical that the Steelers decided to go without an external upgrade at wide receiver, but after Sunday, I'm starting to change my tune.

Another complaint I had was Austin functioning as a No. 2, and he eased those concerns quite a bit against the Jets. My favorite was Austin's contested catch over Brandon Stephens because it was so unlikely for someone his size. His 30-yard catch and run late in the second quarter, which set up Smith's 3-yard touchdown catch, was also impressive.

The same for Austin drawing one defensive pass interference flag and another that was egregiously missed late in the game. Four catches, 70 yards, a performance that was exactly what you'd want out of that spot.

Especially when you consider what the Steelers have in Metcalf, who appeared as advertised in catching four balls for 83 yards and could've had more, if not for a few drops.

But we've known about Metcalf and his run-after-the-catch ability, which he showed off on a 31-yarder on the final play of the first quarter. I think we learned more Sunday about the other guys.

"That's their playmaking ability," Metcalf said when I asked about the other pass-catchers stepping up. "They wouldn't be on the field if they didn't have that in them."

The same as not panicking too much over the defense — it's still only one game — I'm not reaching any definitive conclusions on the wideouts. But it's starting to make more sense.

An offensive coordinator who trusts and listens to his starting quarterback. That guy throwing over the middle of the field. There isn't a volcanic receiver you have to placate, but there are several talented players looking to make a statement.

It took a minute, but the Steelers' plan is starting to come into focus.

"We made a lot of plays," Smith told me. "Not only with the ball in our hands but with the ball out of our hands. When we watch the tape, we'll see some things that we can improve on, for sure. But we got the win. That's the most important thing."

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