Pittsburgh Coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers acknowledged his offense wasn’t performing to the level it did during the preseason, less than 13 hours after the team’s triumph.
The Steelers offense has averaged 9.5 points per game and a league-low 12 first downs through two games. In a 26-22 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Monday night, Pittsburgh only had nine first downs and didn’t run a single red zone play.
But according to Tomlin, there was no need for “knee-jerk” responses in order to implement “wholesale changes.””We need to regain our magic,” Tomlin stated on Tuesday. “We need to rediscover the magic we had throughout the preseason, when we were confidently and quickly playing both as a team and as individuals. To put it bluntly, we haven’t had that in recent weeks.
We do admit that there is a trend with two. We are paying attention to it as we get ready for this upcoming outing because the last two were subpar in that area.””We need to regain our magic,” Tomlin stated on Tuesday. “We need to rediscover the magic we had throughout the preseason, when we were confidently and quickly playing both as a team and as individuals. To put it bluntly, we haven’t had that in recent weeks.
We do admit that there is a trend with two. We are paying attention to it as we get ready for this upcoming outing because the last two were subpar in that area.”The Steelers scored 26 points without a red zone drive, which was a record for the team during the previous 45 years and the highest in the NFL since the Chiefs’ 27 points against the Saints in 2016.
Compared to the five touchdowns scored in the first team’s five preseason possessions, the Steelers have only managed one offensive touchdown in each of their first two games. This season, Pickett has been inconsistent, only finishing 60.5% of his attempts, which is higher than all but starting quarterbacks Bryce Young, Joe Burrow, Zach Wilson, and Deshaun Watson.”He’s done a lot of things well in his preparation,” Tomlin remarked of Pickett. “We all could play better, even him, but from a procedural standpoint, I like what I see from him. And when a guy is in the correct place procedurally, the performance usually comes easily.”
With just 96 total running yards at an average of 3.1 yards per carry, the run game is similarly uninteresting and ranks 27th in the league. Additionally, the Steelers are matched for the most punt returns in the NFL with 13.
Matt Canada was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2021, but the offense of the Pittsburgh Steelers has struggled to move the ball regularly since then. Since then, at least three games with 400 total points have been played by every other NFL team.”No one is receiving blame from us. Regarding the offense’s sluggish start, Tomlin stated, “Obviously, it starts with coaching.” “We improved our coaching. These guys need to start playing more fluidly and quickly. We had to get going sooner. We need to be better coordinated when playing, especially in the beginning of games.”
The fan base’s displeasure peaked on Monday night because the offensive problems predate the 2022 seasonMonday night, Steelers supporters at Acrisure Stadium became agitated with every punt that was made, jeering the team as it left the field following unsuccessful drives.
After the game, tight end Pat Freiermuth said, “It’s got to get us going.” It’s never enjoyable, but we must learn from it, and let’s use it as further inspiration to get this thing rolling. I’ll be working to maintain getting good football and victories for the fans because we love them and they certainly want good football.”
By Monday night’s eighth punt, the crowd was filled with a boisterous chant pleading with Tomlin to dismiss offensive coordinator Matt Canada.
inquired about it Tomlin didn’t take issue with the supporters’ remarks on TuesdayTomlin stated, “I admire their zeal.” “I am as passionate as they are. Hey, we all do. Man, we adore our supporters. They motivate us. They put us to the test. Man, this relationship is amazing. We don’t flee from difficulties. We flee from difficulties.
“This company provides sporting entertainment. We don’t blame them for being entertained since it’s our responsibility to win. We want them to be spoilt, chubby, and sassy. That is what we do.”..With the 2023 NFL season now completed and the 2024 offseason underway, every team must address a significant question.
Is it possible for the Bengals to retain Tee Higgins? What strategies will the Vikings, Broncos, Bears, Commanders, Falcons, and Giants use to deal with their QB dilemmas? Which teams, by surprise, might decide to cut veterans in order to stay under the wage cap?
We asked our NFL Nation reporters to examine more closely at the most important topic facing every team in the summer and to provide their predictions for the coming months
The challenge for the Bills this offseason is continuing to build a roster that can compete in a tough division and conference, while not pushing too much money down the road or creating future issues. While the official cap number for 2024 hasn’t come out yet, the Bills are estimated to be $51.8 million over, according to Roster Management System, with big contracts that could be restructured and some tough decisions to be made.
There are currently a variety of key contributors set to leave in free agency, including defensive end and defensive tackle This is a team that is going to be trying yet again to get past the Chiefs in the postseason, and building the roster amid their cap concerns will be quite the task. — Alaina With the 2023 NFL season now completed and the 2024 offseason underway, every team must address a significant question.
Is it possible for the Bengals to retain Tee Higgins? What strategies will the Vikings, Broncos, Bears, Commanders, Falcons, and Giants use to deal with their QB dilemmas? Which teams, by surprise, might decide to cut veterans in order to stay under the wage cap?
We asked our NFL Nation reporters to examine more closely at the most important topic facing every team in the summer and to provide their predictions for the coming months.With the third overall pick, which position will the Patriots aim for?
Owner Robert Kraft and club president Jonathan Kraft referred to 2024 as the “most anticipated NFL draft of our [31-year] tenure” in a message to season ticket holders, mostly because they have never had a pick as high as No. 3. Though the Patriots’ offensive needs are diverse, the talk of a quarterback makes the most sense. Additionally, they are under contract for signal-callers Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe; Jones has been working out frequently at the team facilities during the offseason. — Michael Reiss Aaron Rodgers’ return to health as the starting quarterback is a positive development, but the offensive line has to be completely revamped. They will probably sign at least one starter in free agency because they need a guard and two tackles. With the No. 10 choice, they may select a tackle, maybe Taliese Fuaga of Oregon State or Olumuyiwa Fashanu of Penn State.
A WR2 is also needed by the Jets, and one might be acquired through trade or free agency. Running back Breece Hall and wide receiver Garrett Wilson are two of their young talents. Saleh’s employment is likely to end if they are unable to improve upon their performance from the previous season, in which they finished 31st in total yards, and build around them. — Cimini RichWith Mike Macdonald joining the Seahawks as head coach, the Ravens, who were first in the NFL in fewest points allowed, have Zachary Orr as their new defensive coordinator. Additionally, Dennard Wilson, the new defensive coordinator for the Titans, and Anthony Weaver, the defensive line coach for the Dolphins, were fired from their positions in Baltimore. The Ravens must now determine how many of their defensive players they can keep. The Baltimore defense has 13 unrestricted free agents, including their two most productive edge rushers (Kyle Van Noy and defensive lineman Justin Madubuike) and two Pro Bowl players (linebacker Patrick Queen). — Hensley Jamison