The Pittsburgh Steelers secured a 34-22 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, but Head Coach Mike McCarthy wasn't prepared to celebrate every aspect of his team's performance. Pittsburgh improved to 3-2 and delivered several encouraging moments on offense and defense. However, special teams remained an area McCarthy believes requires significant attention, even after an important home win.
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Steelers Head Coach Mike McCarthy Prior to a regular season matchup against the Browns in October 2026.
The concern isn't particularly complicated. Pittsburgh spent the week emphasizing fundamentals after its disappointing loss to the Cleveland Browns, yet the Colts still found ways to create problems in the kicking game.
Indianapolis returner Anthony Gould broke loose for a 54-yard kickoff return during the first quarter, immediately giving his offense favorable field position. That sequence was an example of why McCarthy continues stressing execution rather than assuming a win means everything has been corrected.
McCarthy addressed the state of Pittsburgh's special teams during his postgame media availability following the Colts victory. He acknowledged that the coaching staff had made fundamentals a priority throughout the week, but wasn't ready to offer a definitive evaluation before reviewing the film. His response suggested that the same points of emphasis would remain central to the team's preparation.
"Special teams, I think we have to continue to work the fundamentals," McCarthy said. "That was really the emphasis all week, and without seeing the film, that's something we need to continue to emphasize."
That answer might sound routine, but the circumstances make it worth examining. The Steelers were coming off a loss in which McCarthy had already expressed frustration with basic execution across multiple phases. A full week of focused preparation should provide opportunities to address those issues, yet special teams still produced moments that made the afternoon more difficult than necessary.
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Steelers' Mike McCarthy gets animated during a training camp practice ahead of the 2026 season.
Gould's return was particularly frustrating because Pittsburgh had just seized momentum with an 80-yard touchdown reception by Jaylen Warren. Rather than forcing Indianapolis to begin deep in its own territory, the Steelers allowed the Colts to start their next possession at Pittsburgh's 43-yard line. Indianapolis eventually converted that field position into a 56-yard field goal from Spencer Shrader, cutting into the advantage Pittsburgh had just created.
The Steelers also encountered an illegal formation penalty on a first-quarter punt, another example of the operational details that can undermine an otherwise productive afternoon. Neither mistake prevented Pittsburgh from winning, but that doesn't make either one irrelevant. Against stronger opponents or in tighter games, a single breakdown in coverage or execution could determine the outcome.
McCarthy's refusal to make a sweeping judgment before reviewing the film was reasonable. Coaches can identify obvious problems from the sideline, but the complete picture often requires examining assignments, blocking angles and individual responsibilities. Still, his emphasis on fundamentals makes it clear that Pittsburgh isn't treating special teams as a finished product.
Steelers Face A Critical Special Teams Test Moving Forward
The most important question now is whether Pittsburgh can turn repeated practice emphasis into consistent Sunday execution. Special teams depend on players operating together, frequently with contributors who also have offensive or defensive responsibilities. That makes communication, lane discipline and tackling technique essential, especially when a returner finds space before the coverage unit has established its positioning.
There is also a larger issue of accountability around Danny Crossman's unit. When the coaching staff identifies a problem during the week and similar mistakes appear during a game, simply repeating the same message isn't enough by itself. Pittsburgh must determine whether the problem involves technique, personnel, assignments or a combination of those factors, then make adjustments that actually show up on the field.
The encouraging part is that the Steelers won despite the imperfections. Warren supplied explosive production, Aaron Rodgers helped move the offense, and Pittsburgh's defense limited Jonathan Taylor to 45 rushing yards. Those contributions allowed McCarthy's team to overcome its mistakes, but they shouldn't become an excuse to overlook an area that still needs work.
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