Though the Pittsburgh Steelers boast a roster brimming with talent, their inability to maintain offensive momentum has cast a shadow over their overall performance. With their on-field challenges, scrutiny has extended beyond the players to the coaching staff. Even leading actor Dean Norris vocalized the frustrations, calling for the dismissal of offensive coordinator Matt Canada.
Initially resisting the calls, the Steelers eventually parted ways with Canada. Despite this shakeup, their lackluster season persists, prompting former quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to turn a critical eye toward the coaching excellence that was once synonymous with the Steelers’ storied legacy.
Ben Roethlisberger slams Steelers HC for Patriots loss
Ben Roethlisberger, a longtime figure in the Steel City, recently took to his podcast, “Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger,” to express his dissatisfaction with the current state of the franchise, sparing no criticism for his former head coach, Mike Tomlin.
Following the disappointing loss to the New England Patriots on “Thursday Night Football,” Roethlisberger did not mince words about what he perceives as a major problem within the team’s coaching.
He particularly scrutinized Tomlin’s decisions, focusing on the impact of the coaching blunder on a critical fourth-and-one situation in the fourth quarter. According to his decision, the lack of timeouts hindered the team’s ability to make strategic decisions at that time, which he sees as “bad coaching”.
“You can’t afford the second half of games to burn silly timeouts and not to have them late in the game. To me, that’s bad coaching.”
Roethlisberger’s discontent with the Steelers extends beyond the Patriots game. He raised broader questions about the team’s struggles throughout the season, suggesting that the franchise’s storied tradition might be at risk.
“Maybe the tradition of the Pittsburgh Steelers is done,” he remarked.
The quarterback, who played under Tomlin from 2007 to 2021, hinted at the need for a rare move in Pittsburgh, considering a coaching change. Roethlisberger’s departure marked the first year without him, and the Steelers failed to make the postseason.
The absence of Roethlisberger, who maintained a remarkable record of never experiencing a losing season in nearly two decades with the Steelers, has left a void in the team’s performance. Big Ben’s legacy in Pittsburgh includes two Super Bowl victories and an unwavering commitment to the tradition of tough football in the Steel City.
Steelers’ lackluster NFL season continues
The 2023 NFL season has been a rollercoaster for the Pittsburgh Steelers, marked by offensive disappointments and unexpected twists. Starting with a disheartening 7-30 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, the Steelers’ offense, led by quarterback Kenny Pickett, has failed to meet expectations.
Despite hopes for Pickett’s breakthrough, the young quarterback’s performance has left doubts about his long-term viability in the pivotal role. When Pickett suffered an injury in Week 13, the transition to veteran Mitch Trubisky was met with mixed expectations. Trubisky’s aggressive approach in pushing the ball down the field promised a change in offensive dynamics.
Nevertheless, a week into the Trubisky experiment, the Steelers faced another setback, succumbing to a 21-18 defeat against the New England Patriots. Even Minkah Fitzpatrick saw the Week 14 loss due to his teammates’ lack of effort. The offense, under Trubisky’s helm, struggled to generate momentum, amassing a mere 264 total yards.
Pro Football Focus highlighted Trubisky’s performance by ranking him as the lowest-graded quarterback in the NFL for Week 14.
While the Steelers boast one of the league’s best defenses, their offensive struggles have left them in a precarious playoff position. Currently holding a 7-6 record, the team suffered consecutive losses to subpar opponents, tarnishing their once-promising season.
The latest setback, a loss to the Patriots, has plunged the Steelers into a six-way tie for the final two playoff spots in the AFC.
The Steelers’ unfortunate distinction in the record books further showcased their struggles. Following back-to-back losses, the Steelers became the first team in NFL history with an above-.500 record to drop consecutive games to opponents at least eight games under .500.
The Steelers will look to bounce back beating the Indianapolis Colts in their upcoming contest.
