The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to have a sour taste in their mouths throughout the 2025 offseason after ending the 2024 season losing five consecutive games. Everything fell apart for Pittsburgh, as it once looked like a team that could be in play for the one-seed in the AFC, but instead, it choked away the AFC North. There were plenty of reasons for the late-season collapse in Pittsburgh. The defense did not play up to par, and the offense was inconsistent and struggled to get anything going, which has been an issue for years on end.
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Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson gives Head Coach Mike Tomlin a high-five as the team participates in a 2024 regular season game at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA.
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin definitely has an old-school approach when it comes to coaching. He likes his teams to be able to run the football on the way to victory, but that just hasn't been working much in recent years. The Steelers hired Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith during the 2024 offseason and some improvements were seen on offense, however it was clear that Tomlin still had his say with how the games were being called.
Former Steelers defender Patrick Peterson went on All Facts No Brakes With Keyshawn Johnson where he was asked about his former team.
"I feel like Pittsburgh needs to shake up the offensive style a little bit," Peterson said. "It's still back you know, the way they were calling plays, it's still in the ‘90s. Now you want to be a little more innovative. I won't necessarily say trick plays, but have a little bit more spice in your offense, a little bit more eye candy. Having some motions, having some shifts, things like that to be able to get your playmakers involved in the game."
Peterson was a defensive player for the Steelers during the 2023 season, but he still has a first-hand experience of being in the facility and seeing the offense prepare for a game. He has certainly talked to some of his former teammates who were on the offensive side of the ball. It is obvious that Pittsburgh is stuck behind the rest of the NFL, and it is a big reason the organization has difficulty competing with some of the better teams in the league.
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Steelers' former cornerback Patrick Peterson at training camp in 2023.
The Steelers have a strong desire to be a successful run-first offense, but the roster just doesn't have the talent to back that up. Pittsburgh was 11th in yards on the ground during the 2024 season, but they were just 25th in the NFL when it came to yards per carry. This means the offense was constantly playing off-schedule, which would put them in difficult situations on second and third down.
Smith has improved the offense some over what it was during the 2023 season, but there is still a long way to go when it comes to being able to compete with some of the top tier teams in the AFC.
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Eagles' Jalen Hurts celebrates with his Super Bowl trophy in 2025.
Steelers Are A Worse Version Of The Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles were just able to win Super Bowl LIX, and they were able to have such a successful season due to their impressive run game. Philadelphia runs the ball, but the main difference between the Eagles and the Steelers is that the Eagles are actually efficient at it. The Steelers see a certain run scheme fail, and they will try it again a play later. Philadelphia makes adjustments, gets creative, while also having arguably the most talented roster in the NFL.
The Steelers need more talent on the roster, but the organization also needs to put some pressure on Tomlin to change his coaching philosophy. It is outdated and unsuccessful in recent years. Pittsburgh needs to adapt to the current state of the NFL, and Tomlin is a big reason it has been unable to do so.
What do you think of Peterson's comments? Let us know in the comments below!
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