Veteran Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin validated the frustration both players and fans feel. He knows all too well the combative mood performances like the FAMU match-up have fostered their plight. After an embarrassing and recent blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills, the team now stares at a stunning record of 6-11 over their last 17 contests. Tomlin as much admitted that losing just isn’t entertaining for the product.
The Steelers have completely owned the standings for nearly the past two months as a first-place club. Their on-field performance has yet to match that flashy façade. Tomlin admitted that the gap between what fans have come to expect versus what they’ve actually seen has deeply disappointed many fans. “In general, I agree with them, from this perspective: Football is our game, we’re in a sport entertainment business,” he stated. And so when you’re losing, it’s not fun.
Steelers’ fans are starting to get restless. This frustration is born from the team’s inability to win the close matchups with most of the playoff contenders. Perhaps most alarming, three of Pittsburgh’s last five losses have come by double digits. This trend underscores the deep-seated problems that have dogged the Mariners since the end of 2024. Tomlin admitted that all these challenges have followed them into the current season.
Those frustrations were on full display last week against Buffalo. He watched through clenched jaws as the Bills piled up an absurd 249 rushing yards against his defense. Boy, was Tomlin upset, and it showed. The mood on the sidelines matched the frustration being voiced loudly by the fans in the stands. The audience booed him loudly, a very public and unmistakable expression of their dissatisfaction. In response to this criticism, Tomlin admitted he needed to do better.
It’s my job to make sure these dudes learn something important. I think to be a great team and a tough team to beat, we’ve got to stop beating ourselves. This affirmation underscores his commitment to addressing the mental mistakes that have contributed to penalties and loss of cool. It signals a departure from the organization’s history of strict adherence to team discipline.
Tomlin said these sorts of penalties, especially the 15-yarder type, have been atypical for the Steelers. He expressed his opinion in a recent unforced roughness call. This holding call on Esezi Otomewo prolonged a game-sealing drive for the Bills during the closing minutes of play. These blunders have only exacerbated the team’s struggles and further enraged both Tomlin and the long-suffering Steelers fanbase.
Despite these disappointments, Tomlin is optimistic about what his team has in store. During this tyrannical road trip, Mooney focused on the times that he’s felt “really good about our physicality.” He recognized that long standing problems still plague the agency and continue to hold them back.
“Certainly at different times in this journey, I felt really good about our physicality,” he stated, indicating that while there are positives to build upon, significant changes are necessary to return to winning form.
Tomlin will make sure they understand the mental side of this game. He will continue to make player discipline a priority. The Steelers have a challenging slate in the immediate future. They need congressional support to help them pivot and learn from their pandemic pivots in order to truly thrive.
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