If Steelers lose out this year, nobody’s job should be safe in 2025

At one point in time, the Steelers looked like one of the sleeper teams in the NFL. The defense was firing on all cylinders, and even when their play came back down to earth, they were still doing more than enough to limit teams. The offense was still reserved, but they were moving the ball effectively and scoring enough to win.

Early season game? Piece of cake. Tough AFC North stretch? A great final record. They were winning in the classic Steelers way; low scoring and tough games that came down to the wire. They were keeping up with some of the top offenses in the league. Up until the last three games, this team looked like a top seed and a tough team to play come January.

Things have changed for the worse though, and the Steelers seem to be unraveling. The offense has struggled to survive without George Pickens, and even with him back against the Chiefs, the group sputtered. The defense has caved in though, as they have been handled with ease over the past three games and look like a bottom-tier unit.

There is frustration all over the place. Fans are naturally ready to see the ship sink after a promising start. Mike Tomlin has stated that things need to change. Even the players are expressing their anger over the recent skid. Given how this team was playing to now, change is definitely needed, and if this team ends up being one and done once again, the team as a whole needs some wholesale changes.

Steelers fans can’t live with the same excuses

The focus of the last offseason was bucking the consistent mediocrity that had plagued this team. They rebuilt the quarterback room and continued to invest in the offensive line. The defense was poised to be a top unit with a stout front seven. At times, this team looked like that, so the talent is there. This collapse has to be attributed to coaching.

Arthur Smith has been as expected. When his scheme works, it works, and the offense can grind out games and beat up the opposition. His scheme is safe, but it is meant to me. My main complaint has been his unwillingness to update his identity over the past few weeks. We saw an aggressive and fast-moving offense against the Bengals a few weeks ago. Since then, this team has gone back into its shell despite some heavy deficits.

On defense, the unit hummed along for most of the year, but since the bye week really the secondary has collapsed. Opposing offenses hit wide-open receivers constantly and have put up points in droves against this team. Considering Teryl Austin coached the secondary before this, you have to be concerned.

Mike Tomlin deserves the most blame for this stretch, in my opinion. Sure, the odds were against him without Pickens on offense and facing three of the best teams in the league in 11 days. That said, the team never seemed prepared, and even when falling behind early, Tomlin played conservatively and essentially gave up. He has been a major factor in each loss.

There are still at least two more games to play, with one of those being the playoffs. The Steelers can right the ship. As a fan though, if this team is one and done once again, a hard deadline needs to be set for next year.

If this team doesn’t win a playoff game, a regime change is needed. This collapse will be another reason for Tomlin’s detractors to want him out. He can salvage the season still, but we can’t continue to struggle to win in the playoffs forever.