We’re used to watching the Pittsburgh Steelers with gold and yellow glasses.
They are, traditionally, a marquee NFL franchise, marketed like a heavyweight team every year. And for the most part, under Mike Tomlin, they’ve almost always been respectable. They’ve literally never had a losing season under him. Call it a hunch, but that remarkable streak seems like it’s in jeopardy this season.
On Sunday, the Houston Texans — with rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, mind you — humiliated the Steelers in a 30-6 win. Pittsburgh had no answers for an inexperienced quarterback, and its offense could never get off the ground against a young Houston team that is supposed to be rebuilding. When Tomlin was asked about making “changes” to prevent another outcome like this from happening, he professed something would shift.
But I’m not quite sure what strings he can pull to make these Steelers look respectable. (Warning: NSFW language in the tweet and video below.)
Mike Tomlin asked if there’s going to be changes, he says emphatically, “Hell yeah there’s going to be changes.”
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) October 1, 2023
Coach Tomlin addresses the media following our game against the Texans. pic.twitter.com/V0qL8rWw9O
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 1, 2023
Kenny Pickett might be out for a while with a knee injury. Is Mitchell Trubisky really going to be that much of an upgrade for Matt Canada’s uninspirational offense? Is a defense that lets everyone cut it up over the top really going to be that much better with rookie Joey Porter Jr. in the fold?
The fact of the matter is that Tomlin’s Steelers don’t seem like they’re good enough to contend with the AFC’s big boys anymore. Deep down, I feel like he probably knows it. Deep down, another season straddling around .500 should probably be considered a massive accomplishment for Pittsburgh this year. This is a flawed roster with a flawed process that really needs to take a good look in the mirror and realign its expectations.
And who’s to say Tomlin even has a good answer for the Steelers’ issues outside of anything obvious? He hasn’t won a playoff game since 2016. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh has missed the postseason as many times (3) as it’s qualified over the last six years.
The 2-2 Steelers are without a paddle, and I’m not sure Tomlin can rescue them this time.