PITTSBURGH — The echoes of disapproval directed at the Pittsburgh Steelers following their substantial defeat to Buffalo on Sunday weren’t lost on Mike Tomlin.
Indeed, the NFL’s most seasoned coach shared similar sentiments after witnessing his team’s struggles in a game that marked their fifth loss in seven outings.
“From my perspective, I’m in agreement with their reaction; football is what we do, and we’re engaged in the sports entertainment industry,” Tomlin stated on Tuesday. “For Steelers supporters, the entertainment hinges on victories. Therefore, when victories are absent, entertainment suffers.”
Lately, entertainment has been scarce for Pittsburgh, whose performance has mirrored that of a top-tier team merely on paper for the majority of the last two months. The unease within Acrisure Stadium reached a crescendo during the fourth quarter when the crowd expressed their displeasure as “Renegade” by Styx, traditionally used to galvanize the defense late in games, began to play.
“Having experience in this field, one comprehends the nature of things, and I respect that sentiment,” Tomlin remarked. “I empathize with the frustrations; I grasp the dynamics at play, and it’s winning that fuels this whole operation.”
Tomlin wasn’t the sole individual on the Steelers’ sideline to experience heightened frustration as the Bills amassed 249 rushing yards and maintained possession for nearly 42 minutes.
Veteran defensive captain Cam Heyward incurred a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct directed at Bills quarterback Josh Allen following a third-quarter touchdown pass to Keon Coleman, which extended Buffalo’s lead to 16-7. Heyward later explained that his reaction was in response to an earlier incident where he alleged Allen intentionally kneed him in a sensitive area.
Pittsburgh’s reserve defensive lineman, Esezi Otomewo, was penalized for unnecessary roughness in the closing moments, further aiding a drive that effectively sealed the game.
“I bear the responsibility of ensuring that these players grasp a fundamental aspect of being a formidable team: avoiding self-inflicted wounds,” Tomlin emphasized. “Penalties are inevitable during gameplay. However, the occurrence of 15-yard penalties and lapses in composure are uncharacteristic of us and must be rectified immediately.”
Corrective action is imperative if the Steelers aspire to escape their current downturn, which has overshadowed the positive momentum gained from their initial 4-1 record. Three of Pittsburgh’s last five defeats have been by a margin of at least 10 points, all against teams with legitimate aspirations for playoff contention.
Despite the recent struggles, Tomlin remains optimistic about his team’s outlook.
“While our recent performance was subpar, I don’t believe it diminishes our confidence in ourselves or our collective ability to execute moving forward,” he affirmed.
When asked if he believed his team possessed a defined identity three months into the season, Tomlin chuckled.
“Yes, 6-6, and I’m not fond of it,” he responded.
Pittsburgh’s record stands at 6-11 in their last 17 games, dating back to the latter part of the previous season, during which a promising 10-3 start deteriorated into a downward spiral, culminating in a decisive loss to Baltimore in the playoff’s opening round.
While Tomlin often emphasizes that the dynamics of one season do not necessarily dictate those of the next, the issues that plagued the Steelers in 2024, notably their struggle to defend against the run, have persisted well into 2025.
Pittsburgh drafted defensive linemen Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black, and acquired Daniel Ekuale, to complement a group that already included Heyward, Keeanu Benton, and Dean Lowry. Lowry sustained an injury during training camp, Ekuale’s season was cut short in a loss to Green Bay in October, and Harmon has been sidelined twice due to knee issues.
“Depletion of big bodies is not an option,” Tomlin cautioned. “Running out of bigs in AFC North football equates to running aground.”
The Steelers currently rank 17th in run defense this season and are now preparing to face a Ravens team that overwhelmed them with 299 rushing yards in their most recent encounter 11 months prior.
“Throughout this journey, there have been instances where I’ve felt confident about [our physicality],” Tomlin reflected. “These sentiments are indicative of the conversations we’ve had while sitting at 6-6. For us, it’s about internalizing this reality, acknowledging it, and formulating a strategy to move forward.”
