Steelers' Mike Tomlin Has Embarrassing Response When Asked About The Defense Being Torched By Practice Squad Running Backs

The Pittsburgh Steelers started out hot against the Indianapolis Colts, as they held a lead of 13-0 early on in the contest. The didn't last long, as the Colts took the lead in the second quarter and never gave it back as they won 30-13. In the second half, the Steelers got absolutely shredded by the Colts on the ground, and it was primarily by backs who spent some time on the Colts practice squad in 2023. Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin was asked about this in his postgame press conference.

Steelers' Mike Tomlin Discusses The Run Defense In Week 15

The Steelers defense was embarrassed in the loss, but the offense didn't do much to help them. The offense couldn't stay on the field in the second half, giving the defense little-to-no rest in between possessions. Mitch Trubisky had a bad interception in the second half, and Najee Harris coughed up the ball deep in his own territory to put the Colts in a great position to score. Regardless, the Steelers couldn't do anything to stop the Colts defensively even though they were missing key players on offense. Tomlin was asked about the run defense in his press conference, and he gave an embarrassing and vague response.

"They played well and we didn't."

The Steelers defense was absolutely gashed by the Colts, who were missing their two best running backs. Jonathon Taylor was ruled out prior to the game, and Zack Moss was hurt while scoring a touchdown and ruled out for the remainder of the game. The rest of the game, the Colts split carries between Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson, who were both signed to the team's practice squad earlier in the 2023 season. Both backs had no problem producing against Pittsburgh, as Sermon finished with 87 yards on 16 attempts and Goodson had 69 yards on 11 attempts. 

Both backs averaged over five yards per carry, and helped the Colts use the clock to their advantage on an eight-minute drive to end the third quarter that essentially sealed the victory for Indianapolis. They were so successful, yet Tomlin had no answer when he was asked why, aside from his vague response that didn't really give a glimpse into what he was seeing from his defense. 

Not only were both backs consistent, but they each had their own share of chunk plays. Sermon's longest rush went for 19 yards and Goodson's went for 31 yards, which was longer than any play by the Steelers offense in the loss. 

The Steelers defense has been its glaring strength over the last few seasons, yet in the Week 15 loss it sank to the level of the poor and inconsistent offense. The Steelers looked lost on both sides of the ball, which is a true sign of just how bad this losing skid has been and the toll it has taken on the team. The Steelers run defense had been good in 2023 up until this point, and they had one of their worst games of the season against third and fourth-string running backs. 

Sermon has bounced around the league since he was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 2021. He was released after just one season, and then spent a year with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2022 before being waived at the start of the 2023 season. He had spent most of 2023 on the Colts practice squad, yet managed to step up against the Steelers to help carry the Colts to victory. 

Goodson's story is similar, except he was picked up by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and was waived prior to the 2023 season kicking off. The Colts picked him up and signed him to their practice squad. Both running backs had their best game of their careers against Pittsburgh in Week 15, yet Tomlin had no explanation for it in a time where his job may be on the line.

What did you think of Tomlin's comments? Let us know in the comments below!

#SteelerNation