Steelers Offensive Coach Likely Facing Final Regular Season Game in Pittsburgh

Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)

Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin walks on the field at St. Vincent College as his players participate in 2023 training camp in Latrobe, PA.

There have been a lot of issues during the tough month of December and into January. The Steelers will likely be an underdog in the first round of the playoffs, but regardless, there should be changes coming in the offseason, barring a dramatic postseason run. A lot of fingers will point to Tomlin, but as the fan base has come to understand, he will probably never be leaving the Steel City unless he decides to walk away.

If the slide continues, however, there are going to be changes. One may be quick to point a finger in the direction of Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin, and rightfully so, but there are other pressing issues that have come to light throughout the past four games as well. Someone whose seat has gotten scalding hot is offensive line coach Pat Meyer.

The Steelers’ offensive line hasn’t quite been the same since Mike Munchak left the organization after the 2018 campaign. A trio of Shaun Sarrett, Adrian Klemm and Meyer hasn’t really panned out, and because of that, Meyer could be on his way out the door following a postseason defeat. The four-game losing streak has proven that the unit simply isn’t where it needs to be.

Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)

Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin (left) and offensive line coach Pat Meyer stand on the field at St. Vincent College as the team practices during 2023 training camp in Latrobe, PA.

In the past four games, Pittsburgh’s offense has let up 14 sacks. On top of that, the group is only averaging roughly 112 yards per game on the ground, and that’s with a 202-yard performance against the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Day. Down the stretch, the big men up front should be in sync and making things easier for the quarterback and running backs alike, but that has not been what has happened.

If the Steelers end up going one-and-done in the postseason yet again, there is no doubt that there will be scapegoats. One of those will likely be Meyer, who hasn’t been able to get his unit playing at its best during the most important time of the year. Pittsburgh has focused on rebuilding the group in recent seasons, but there’s no way that the front office can be happy with the inconsistency that has come with a re-tooled room.

At the end of the day, Tomlin has the final say in his staff. He has a lot of power, and deservedly so, after being with the franchise for so long. With that said, management may need to get involved after the season officially ends to force Tomlin’s hand when it comes to certain decisions. The offensive line play has simply not been good enough, which could ultimately lead to Meyer heading out the door even before the Super Bowl occurs.

Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)

Steelers offensive line coach Pat Meyer walks around on the field at St. Vincent College as the team prepares to practice during 2022 training camp in Latrobe, PA.

Steelers’ Russell Wilson Has Not Done Offensive Line Any Favors

It has been a very disappointing stretch of the year for quarterback Russell Wilson. He has been taking too long to get rid of the football and taken some costly sacks. Not every time he has gone down has been his fault, but at the end of the day, the line will take the majority of the blame. If Pittsburgh wants to win in the postseason, both Wilson and the big men up front need to take a long look in the mirror.

Do you think Meyer will be the first Steelers coach fired if a playoff run doesn’t occur? Let us know in the comments below!