Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin meets with reporters after the team’s 30-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in an NFL football game on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
INDIANAPOLIS — Mike Tomlin is tired of losing.
After the Pittsburgh Steelers lost their third straight, 30-13, at Indianapolis on Saturday, he promised to make changes. Tomlin didn’t provide specifics in the immediate aftermath of another dismal offensive performance, but it appears Pittsburgh could have a new starting quarterback next week in Cincinnati.
“Everything is on the table at this stage. We cannot continue to play football this way.” said Tomlin, the 17-year Steelers coach who has never finished with a losing record. “We have to make changes and we have to do it immediately. We are not going to throw the ball next week like we did today.
The simplest solution might be the return of quarterback Kenny Pickett, who helped the Steelers stay in the playoffs despite leading one of the lowest-scoring offenses in the NFL. He has missed the last two games with a sprained right ankle. Tomlin said it’s possible Pickett will return next week.
If he can’t go, Tomlin must decide whether to stick with Mitch Trubisky, who has started Pittsburgh’s last two games, or give Mason Rudolph, who relieved Trubisky late against the Colts, a chance.
Trubisky finished 16 of 23 for 169 yards. He threw one touchdown pass and two interceptions and was sacked three times. He also scored on a 1-yard touchdown run that was initially ruled a fumble but was overturned upon review of the replay.
After going on a 13-0 run in the first 16 minutes, with one score after the Steelers recovered a blocked punt inside the Colts 1-yard line, Pittsburgh only had one more chance to score — and Tomlin opted to punt rather than attempt a 56-yard field goal.
The Steelers finished with 216 total yards, including 74 on the ground. Najee Harris had 12 carries for 33 yards.
Rudolph has started two games in four seasons, a 24-22 loss to Cleveland in the 2021 season finale and a 16-16 tie with Detroit in 2022. He was 2 of 3 for 3 yards on Saturday.
But with the Steelers falling to last place in the rugged AFC North and their scoring average dropping to 15.9 points per game, it’s clear they need a new direction.
“We don’t have the answers now, but we will find them.” Trubisky said. “We will work tirelessly to achieve this, we will come together, and our leaders must step up.”
Although crime is the most obvious problem, there are other issues.
Pittsburgh’s defense allowed Gardner Minshew to throw three quality TD passes and give up 170 yards rushing to a backfield that was missing 2021 league rushing champion Jonathan Taylor and its leading rusher this season, Zack Moss, who left with a right arm injury. After carrying it four times for 13 yards.
Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson produced 157 yards rushing on a combined 28 carries. Both spent most of this season on Indy’s practice squad, as did receiver DJ Montgomery, whose 16-yard TD catch gave Indy a 14-13 lead heading into halftime.
The Colts scored the final 30 points.
“You’re playing losing football. You’re not playing well enough to win.” Cornerback Patrick Peterson said when asked to describe Tomlin’s postgame message. “It’s simple for us now: How important is this to you? The road (to the playoffs) has become narrow.”
As Pittsburgh begins its final three-week stretch, finding a way to score points — with or without Pickett — remains Tomlin’s top priority.
The Steelers have scored fewer than 20 points in five straight games and have more than 20 points just once in their last eight games. The firing of offensive coordinator Matt Canada in mid-November didn’t make any difference.
Trubisky, the No. 2 overall pick in 2017, got his chance the past two weeks — and lost twice.
“Let’s be honest, we’re basically a poor football team at the moment. We’re playing losing football, and I own that.” Tomlin said. “I don’t necessarily have the answers today. If I did, we would have played differently today. But I will admit that things will not continue as they are.”
After suffering a disappointing loss, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has stated that changes are on the horizon for the team. With the season still ongoing, Tomlin’s declaration has sparked curiosity and speculation among fans and analysts alike. As the Steelers look to bounce back from their recent setback, all eyes are on the potential adjustments and shakeups that may be in store for the team. This impending shift in strategy and personnel has added a new layer of intrigue to the Steelers’ season and has fans eagerly awaiting the upcoming developments.