Steelers' Mike Tomlin Not Looking To Change First Half Script Despite Poor Early Returns In 2023

The Pittsburgh Steelers have not started games well in the 2023 season. In the six games so far, Pittsburgh's longest opening drive was eight plays spanning just over four minutes against the Houston Texans. It ended with Kenny Pickett throwing an interception to former Steelers defensive back Steven Nelson. Pittsburgh started on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams with another disappointing start gaining three net yards on three plays before punting it away. The slow starts have people wondering if change is on the horizon to right the worrying trend. 

Head Coach Mike Tomlin addressed the media for his regular Tuesday press conference and was asked if there was an appetite to change the script of plays on early possessions. He confirmed that the team does script plays, though they're not "completely married" to it. 

"No, because sometimes it's just we've got to do what we're doing better," he said in response to making changes. "We just need to do routine things routinely in the early stages of games." 

Tomlin pointed to two plays early in the game against the Rams that he thought illustrated why it's a lack of execution of the plan, rather than a poor agenda they're working from. On the second play of the game, Pickett dropped back to throw and was quickly sacked by Rams defensive tackle Michael Hoecht for a five-yard loss, which set up a third and seven that they weren't able to complete. Tomlin said that there was a missed blocking assignment on the play. 

The other play that he highlighted was on the team's second drive of the game where George Pickens had a favorable matchup against former Steelers cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon on a third down. Pickett completed the back shoulder throw to the former Georgia Bulldogs star, but Pickens couldn't get his feet down in bounds. 

"Had we connected that and gone in and scored, we might not be having this discussion," Tomlin said about the Pickens play. "So no, it [the script] doesn't require a change of agenda or anything, just keep the ball in bounds. If we handle a routine pickup, it doesn't need any changes." 

Tomlin said they aren't resistant to changes if required, but his focus is on figuring out how the team can solve the execution problems before they make any alterations to the game plan. 

Steelers' Tomlin Detailed What They Use Scripted Plays For

Tomlin said that the scripted plays that they use early on in games are used to do different things. While a part of it is trying to establish a rhythm for the offense early and trying to put points on the board, Tomlin said he also uses it to try and figure out some things about what opposing defenses are doing. 

He said that sometimes the opposition does things they weren't expecting, and the script has to change in the game. He referred to the Rams throwing some of the wrinkles added on third down that required Pittsburgh to adapt. 

"It's not always trying to hit a home run," Tomlin said about the strategy. "Sometimes it's about information gathering. Sometimes it's personnel exchanges to see how they match or how they deal with personnel exchanges logistically. There are many agendas that you're trying to get done at the early stages of the game from a scripting perspective." 

Despite Tomlin's resistance to changing things from a script standpoint, he is committed to finding a strategy to help the team start faster. Pickett has shown tremendous ability to lead the team when the chips are down, but early on in games has struggled. Tomlin is working to help him improve on his early game work, but it's not all on the young quarterback's shoulders to work out the Steelers' early game issues.  

Do you think the script needs to change early in games? Do you agree with Tomlin that it's more of an execution problem than an agenda problem? Comment below!

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