Steelers Need To Eliminate Pressley Harvin's Job After Disastrous Performance In Indy

The Pittsburgh Steelers failed in all three phases of the game in Week 15 against the Indianapolis Colts. They lost 30-13 in a game that was utterly embarrasing. After players talked all week about how this was like a playoff game, the team just didn't have that sense of urgency. The offense was unable to get anything productive going after their initial two drives and the defense could not stop the run. They had three turnovers and over 100 yards in penalties. While there was plenty of blame to go around, one of the biggest disasters was punting. Steelers punter Pressley Harvin III has always been inconsistent, but he was just flat-out terrible against the Colts.

So far for the 2023 season, Harvin has punted 62 times with an average of 44.7 yards; his longest punt was 63 yards. During the game against the Colts, he punted four times with an average of 40 yards and a long of 55. That doesn't do justice to the tale of just how bad he looked, and his atrocious punting was only exacerbated by poor decision-making on the part of Head Coach Mike Tomlin.

The Steelers led the game early, 13-0, and were never able to do anything after that. They had multiple chances to make things happen and get back in the game, but they didn't capitalize on them. During the fourth quarter, quarterback Mitch Trubisky managed to not go three and out, and he led the team down to the Indianapolis 39-yard line where they stalled out. 

Shockingly enough, Tomlin chose not to trust his incredibly consistent kicker Chris Boswell and, instead, trusted his incredibly inconsistent punter in Harvin. He surprised no one by kicking a 22-yard punt that gave the Colts excellent field position. Indianapolis was able to drive down and score a field goal.  

A clearly frustrated Tomlin was asked after the game about the loss. He acknowledged that they did nothing positive in very winnable game. 

"We're playing losing football and I own that," Tomlin said in an aggravated tone.

When asked about the decision to not trust one of the best kickers in the NFL, in a dome, Tomlin said he didn't feel comfortable. Boswell had missed an earlier extra point. 

"Not a lot had gone our way that made me feel good about kicking a 57-yard field goal," Tomlin lamented.

Now the Steelers have lost three very winnable games in a row, all against teams with supposedly lesser talent. Even the Steelers' defense, which won the game against Cleveland Brown during Week 2 hasn't looked very good considering the amount of money they are paid. 

The Steelers Have To Cut Their Losses With Pressley Harvin III

The Steelers, as a franchise, are going to have to make some very difficult decisions after this tough loss. The season is likely done and their playoff hopes are likely lost. Planning for 2024 begins now. One of the first decisions they should make is finding a suitable punter. While many feel we have bigger issues, and they're not wrong, the field position battle is a critical one.

While Harvin seems to be a heck of a nice guy, that can no longer be the reason Pittsburgh continues to give him a roster spot. He came to the Steel City when they drafted him in the seventh round in 2021. He has been consistently choppy his whole career. However, his rookie career was marred by personal tragedy as he lost both his father and his grandmother during the season.

To be fair, Tomlin has brought in competition for Harvin. Braden Mann came in to compete for the starting job in training camp. Harvin was able to win out and retain his position, but it seems like Tomlin is surely regretting that decision now. Unfortunately, the Steelers have desperately needed a punter they can count on in 2023. The only thing that has been more inconsistent than Harvin is the offense in general. Second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett has struggled this season to move the ball down the field.   

Pickett was injured during the embarrassing 24-10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. He sustained a high ankle sprain that had to be surgically repaired on December 4th. Trubisky came in for Pickett and has been playing since then. 

It also isn't like this is news to Tomlin, or anyone else, Tomlin put Harvin on notice publicly after the Week 1 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Unfortunately, Tomlin chose to retain him and it has plagued the team ever since. 

What did you think about Tomlin choosing to punt instead of kicking a field goal? Who do you think really cost us the game against the Colts? Do you think the Steelers have kept Harvin too long? How much is Harvin's inconsistency hurting us? Let it all out! Tell us what is on your mind. Click to comment below. 

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