New Year, but more of the same from Steelers

Last night felt like the ghost of playoffs past for the Steelers. It looked like a replay of the last four postseason losses. It was just all too familiar: an offense struggling to compete, a defense getting tossed around, and an early multi-torque deficit. 

This game felt a bit worse however. I would suspect most Steelers fans expected the Ravens to win easily, but this was something else. Total domination from a division rival. No one wearing a Steelers uniform seemed to want to be there. It was the worst that I have ever seen a Steelers team play. No effort and uninspired. 

As someone who has been sitting on the fence when it comes to moving on from Mike Tomlin, this game has finally pushed me over the edge. It’s not simply losing play off games, the Steelers have simply not been competitive. 

The definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and expecting a different result. Steelers fans no longer expect a different result from a Tomlin led Steelers. It remains to be seen if that’s the case for the Steelers front office. 

There is a very specific way the Steelers want to win. Ball control through the running game, forcing turnovers, and playing stout defense. You can win games that way, and make the playoffs. But as we have all seen, that’s as far as it goes. The Steelers lack a dynamic running back that turns 5 yard gains into 10 and 10 yard gains into 20 yards to touchdowns. 

They also lack “easy” in their offense. Every yard, every first down every score feels like a near miracle with this offense. It also seems impossible for the Steelers to convert on 3rd and shirt. Last night was no different. The offense was uninspiring and there were simply no adjustments. The Steelers just got out schemed and out coached, which feels predictable. 

The Ravens weren’t even pretending to pass last night. They rushed for 299 yards last night and only threw for 165. The Steelers rushed for a woeful 29 yards. Their most dynamic back Jaylen Warren only touched the ball twice. What’s more, the claims of having packages ready for Justin fields was simply lip service. He saw 2 snaps. One a Warren run, the other a throw away. 

The Steelers also just played scared. Punting down 14 as opposed to going for it on fourth down. It was the opposite of what Tomlin preaches in his press conferences. It seems like the Steelers were very much living in their fears. At this point, it feels outrageous to try this over again. Not just loses, dominations for 5 straight playoffs. 

As someone who has spent time defending Tomlin, I have to say this falls squarely on his shoulders. And while he does admit and own up to this losing streak that simply isn’t enough now. It feels like the Steelers just need to press the reset button and desperately need to find a franchise QB.  They aren’t going to compete without one in today's NFL. They need a QB that can bring “easy” into this offense. 

With that reset, should come a changing of the guard. I have said that changing head coaches would be a tall task for the Steelers, but they need to embrace it. I have also said the fans would have to accept Tomlin winning somewhere else, and after last night I am willing to accept that. Everything reaches a natural end after a certain time. It feels like everyone, including Tomlin, needs a fresh start. Messages get stale and leadership doesn’t carry the same weight after almost 20 years in the building. Look at Sean Payton or Dan Quinn. Guys who took a year off or spent a year as a coordinator. 

It’s not going to be easy moving on from a hall of game head coach, but it’s time.  Things have to change. Not because Tomlin is a bad coach, but simply because fresh eyes and a new voice need to take over. The Steelers need a head coach to come in and change up the status quo, and bring the Steelers offense into the modern era. Everything has an expiration date, and it feels like we have reached it with Mike Tomlin.