A Furious Steelers' Mike Tomlin Tells Media That Big Changes Are Happening

The Pittsburgh Steelers went into their Week 4 game of the 2023 season with the hope that they had started to turn their season around. That proved to be incredibly far from the truth, as the Houston Texans put on a surgical clinic and exposed every single weakness the Steelers have. With practically every fan in Pittsburgh clamoring for Matt Canada to be fired, now it appears as though the realization has finally reached Mike Tomlin; changes have to be made.

Steelers In Need Of Change In 2023

All the positivity gained from Pittsburgh's 2023 Week 3 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders was lost after the dumpster fire that was the Steelers effort against the Texans. A shell-shocked Tomlin spoke to the media following the game with a very matter-of-fact tone. It was apparent that Tomlin had only begun to mentally unpack what had just unfolded before him and his outclassed coaching staff.

Tomlin went through the usual list of questions regarding injuries and how the Texans were successful, but before he left the podium, Tomlin answered one question that seemed to get under his skin like the others hadn't. The reporter asked Tomlin whether he was considering changes or if it was too early for that kind of thinking, something that has apparently been on the head coach's mind.

"Changes regarding -- hell yeah, we gotta make some changes. Man, that was an ugly product we put out there today."

That is a very honest perspective considering what had just transpired on the football field. Tomlin has his work cut out for him after only four weeks of the 2023 season behind them.

Steelers Knows Big Moves Must Be Made To Save 2023

The Steelers offense managed a paltry 225 offensive yards against the Texans on Sunday, but even that seemed generous. Most of their production came in the second half, and the word "production" is being used with a very large grain of salt. The Texans were outperforming the Steelers in every possible aspect, with the first half being a one-sided affair.

Those are not what the teams that Tomlin has coached in the past would consider acceptable statistics, but by the end of the Week 4 debacle against the Texans, it seemed like the fight left the team. Tackles were half-hearted, blitzes were a touch slower, and the result was a comfortable win for Houston turning into a complete blowout. What makes it worse is that the game was actually not as close as the final score (30-6) would make it appear.

Tomlin made it clear that changes needed to be made, and thank goodness he admitted that. If his response had been anything else at all, the Rooneys may have imploded along with every Steelers fan. Of course, knowing something needs to be done and putting it into action has been the bane of the 2023 Steelers. In 2022, there seemed to be consistent growth, with a 7-2 record to close out the season standing as proof of that. Everything has shifted for the worse in 2023, and the changes better be significant if Tomlin wants to continue coaching this team.

"We're not gonna do the same things and hope for a different outcome. What those changes are, man, we'll put together a plan in preparation this week."

It's what you want to hear, but to be fair, it's what we've consistently heard from Tomlin during this years-long rut where potential out-gains production. With one more game remaining (Baltimore Ravens) before their 2023 bye week, there is more weighing on the decisions made over the few weeks than there has been in quite a while for Pittsburgh.

What player changes are coming? Will the rookies like Joey Porter Jr. and Darnell Washington get to see the field more? Does the defense need the same kind of youth injection with the energy of Nick Herbig? Everything is on the table, and that extends to the coaching staff as well. Everyone knows that Canada's hot seat has been engulfed in flames for a while, but now Teryl Austin and Tomlin himself are feeling the heat. What kind of moves would be enough to jar the 2023 Steelers into some semblance of a competitive football team?

Whatever changes do happen, they need to be thought through and considered, but at this point, we'd all take knee-jerk reactions if they actually have some kind of impact. Pretty much, start by firing Canada, and then we'll go from there.

What changes do the 2023 Steelers need to get back on track?

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