Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin gives a concerning answer regarding the state of Pittsburgh’s offense right now
Did he really say that?
The Pittsburgh Steelers opened the season by producing one of the better offensive performances in recent memory for the team. Aaron Rodgers looked like his old self, DK Metcalf was running over and past everyone, and the ball was being spread around the offense.
But the past two weeks haven’t been nearly as explosive. The Steelers scored just 17 points against the Seattle Seahawks, and Sunday’s win over the New England Patriots netted barely over 200 yards of offense. Yet when asked where the Steelers’ offense stands right now, Mike Tomlin was very optimistic.
“You know, I think we’re moving good and moving in the right direction,” Tomlin said. “Certainly, there are areas of get-better in all areas. Run game, pass game, protection, division of labor, personality, but I like the general trajectory of all of those things that I mentioned.”
Mike Tomlin is happy with how the offense looks through three weeks
Look, a win is a win, but the brand of football that the Steelers played last week and certainly the week before is not sustainable. The offense has actually moved in the opposite direction, and the run game remains a core reason why. Against the Patriots, the Steelers offense averaged just 2.7 net yards per rushing attempt and -0.11 EPA per play on run plays. They were and have been downright bad.
That, to me, is not only the biggest concern, but the biggest surprise. If you told me the offensive line struggled, I would have believed you. But I would have bet it was the young tackle duo and their pass protection.
Instead, the Steelers’ guard play has struggled when it comes to creating holes in the run game. Jaylen Warren has looked electric when he’s received the slightest runway, but far too often, there is a roadblock in front of him.
Isaac Seumalo’s PFF grade improved this week compared to his first two games, but he hasn’t dented defensive lines the way the Steelers would like. Zach Frazier has been good, but Mason McCormick has struggled in pass pro and against the run.
So it all starts up front, and right now, that is an issue for the Steelers. Until that gets solved, things won’t get better, no matter what coach-speak you hear.
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