Mike Tomlin Addresses Steelers’ Offensive Struggles
It’s no secret that the Pittsburgh Steelers have a sluggish offense. Ever since Matt Canada was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2021, the offense has looked uncreative.
Through two games in 2023, the Steelers rank No. 26 in points scored (16.5) No. 19 in touchdowns per game (two) with the second-fewest yards per game (247) and the third-fewest yards per play (4.3). That’s happening even when almost leading the league in pass play percentage (2nd)–but placing No. 29 in yards per pass (5.2).
Head coach Mike Tomlin recognizes that the Steelers’ offense needs to improve after its struggles through the first two games. However, he says there won’t be any major changes coming.
“Offensively, we have to get our mojo back. … We lost that, to be blunt, in the last couple weeks,” Tomlin said Tuesday. “We’re not going to have knee-jerk reactions and make wholesale changes. We do acknowledge two is a pattern.”
Mike Tomlin: "Offensively, we have to get our mojo back… we lost that to be blunt in the last couple weeks."
— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) September 19, 2023
When asked —Mike Tomlin on if he will consider offensive changes: "We're not going to have knee-jerk reactions in terms of wholesale changes. We do acknowledge two is a pattern."
— Bob Pompeani (@KDPomp) September 19, 2023
This should be a concern for all Steelers fans out there. Matt Canada isn’t cutting it and Kenny Pickett is still trying to develop as a quarterback in the NFL. Not to mention, they’re in arguably the toughest division in football and haven’t won it since 2020.
It’s not like Steelers fans aren’t out here trying. After their 26-22 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Monday night, Acrisure Stadium let the team and coaching staff know how they feel.
Fire Canada chants pic.twitter.com/9E91QR4Ppm
— Kyle Garay (@kylecgaray) September 19, 2023
“I appreciate their passion,” Tomlin said regarding the boos. “This is the sport entertainment business. It’s our job to win and thus entertain them. We don’t begrudge them for that.”
Tomlin on the 'Fire Canada' from the crowd: "I appreciate their passion. … This is the sport entertainment business. It's our job to win and thus entertain them. We don't begrudge them for that. We want them to fat and sassy and spoiled. That's our job."
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) September 19, 2023
The only reason Pittsburgh even won that game was due to Alex Highsmith‘s clutch strip sack in the 4th quarter and T.J. Watt returning it for a touchdown. The Steelers had just nine first downs in the game and a mediocre 255 total yards.
Not to mention, the club also had two turnovers and was plain awful on third down, converting just four times on 14 attempts.
Tomlin is stubborn and believes that his defense will override his offense’s struggles every single year. Right now, this formula isn’t working, unless you just want to keep saying you’ll never have a losing record–even if that means your team misses the playoffs and can’t move the ball.
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