The Pittsburgh Steelers' recent string of losses has left fans frustrated and questioning the team's direction. Following an embarrassing 21-18 home defeat to the New England Patriots on Thursday night, running back Najee Harris offered an encouraging, but somewhat tone-deaf statement.
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Steelers running back, Najee Harris.
Harris, who was questionable for the game due to injury, did play, but had a challenging time against the formidable Patriots defense. He carried the football 12 times and managed just 29 yards in a night where nothing seemed to go right for the Steelers.
In a postgame interview, Harris attempted to maintain a positive outlook, despite the team's recent struggles. He emphasized the importance of focusing on the next game, which is against the Indianapolis Colts on December 16th.
"We're still going in the right direction. It's hard to say that now after the past two games, but just as a team, we have to ignore all distractions and just worry about the next game, and that's just what it is."
Harris's assertion that the Steelers are still headed in the right direction might be surprising to many fans. Before the losses to the Arizona Cardinals and Patriots, the Steelers appeared to be on a promising path. Before the last two games, the Steelers posted a 7-4 record and a favorable schedule ahead. They seemed poised for a free ride to the playoffs. Some fans even began to speculate with optimism about the potential playoff seeding.
However, the recent back to back losses to two of the worst teams in the league have thrown their playoff hopes into question. They currently sit at 8th place in the AFC, with a once-promising 73% chance of making the playoffs now in jeopardy. It’s worth noting that the remainder of AFC teams still have to play their games and seeding will change following the conclusion of Week 14.
Addressing Frustrated Fans
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Pittsburgh Steelers fans upset after the outcome of a game.
Acknowledging the frustration among Steelers fans, Harris offered a message to Steeler Nation.
"Fans obviously want to see their team win, and we are not doing that these past two games," he said. "Really not much we can tell the fans right now. Just be patient, obviously nobody hates losing more than us as a team, so we already know how you guys feel."
Harris empathized with the fan base and emphasized that the team shares their disappointment in the recent losses. In recent seasons, Steelers fans have found themselves increasingly dissatisfied with the state of their football team. While fans of other franchises might view Steelers supporters as accustomed to winning and spoiled, the frustration runs deeper than just losing games. It's rooted in the consistently lackluster performance of the offense, where scoring touchdowns feels like winning a playoff game.
It's also tied to the extended tenure of Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada, who held his position well beyond what many believed was a reasonable timeframe before finally getting fired this season. Furthermore, it's connected to the failure to fully utilize talented receivers like George Pickens in the team's game plan. Steelers football has been marked by disorder and inconsistency for a number of years, but what made it tolerable was that they were still managing to secure victories. However, when losses to two teams that you should have blown out occur consecutively on their home turf, the underlying problems become increasingly evident and impossible to ignore.
Mike Tomlin Faces Mounting Pressure
Meanwhile, Head Coach Mike Tomlin is facing increasing pressure from fans who are calling for his dismissal. The frustration with Tomlin has reached new levels, and many believe it's time for fresh faces in the coaching staff.
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Over the years, Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick has had Mike Tomlin and the Steelers' number in their AFC matchups.
While it's unlikely that Tomlin will be fired by the organization, he now faces the daunting task of winning back the trust and support of Steelers fans. The team's upcoming schedule includes matchups against the Colts, Cincinnati Bengals, Seattle Seahawks, and Baltimore Ravens to close out the 2023 season. Two of these games are against AFC North rivals, providing an opportunity for the Steelers to climb back up the division standings.
However, for Tomlin to silence the calls for his resignation, it may require a four-game winning streak to finish the season on a high note and restore faith in his leadership.
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