The Pittsburgh Steelers have one of the best head coaches in the NFL, despite not having a playoff win since the 2016 season. Mike Tomlin has been in charge since the 2007 campaign and provided a remarkable amount of consistency for the franchise. He finds a way to get the best out of his players and is known as the ultimate motivator. Unfortunately, he is still human and makes mistakes. One of the more questionable parts of his tenure has been in-game management. He often calls head-scratching timeouts, but the most noticeable issue to the fan bases is when it comes to challenges.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin roams the grounds at Acrisure Stadium prior to a 2022 preseason matchup in Pittsburgh, PA.
The art of the challenge has become a little lost in the NFL due to turnovers and scoring plays automatically being looked at by New York and to Tomlin's credit, he actually won four in 2023 while losing three. From 2019-2022, however, he only won five while losing 11. His seven challenges in 2023 were his most since the 2019 campaign. He only had four in 2020 and 2021 combined, losing all of them.
The question has turned into why he doesn't toss the red flag out when it seems rather obvious that he should when watching on television. That same situation occurred on Friday evening. In the first quarter, Justin Fields threw the ball unintentionally behind Van Jefferson down the sideline and it was called incomplete. Several angles were shown, and it definitely looked like a legal catch. Fields talked to the media after the contest and gave his opinion on the matter.
"Yeah, I thought he was inbounds, I'm not gonna lie, but yeah, so." Fields stated firmly and then with a grin.
It was a wonderful catch by Jefferson, who had an effective game. His stat line would have looked a little better if Tomlin decided to challenge the call on the field. Two of the new Steelers got a little taste of what the fan base has endured for years. Tomlin seemingly challenges calls when he shouldn't, but then keeps the red flag in his pocket when he should.
Steph Chamber / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin tosses a challenge flag on the field as his team participates in a regular season matchup at then-Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA.
The play occurred towards the end of the first quarter and it was on an offensive possession immediately after the Texans scored a touchdown. Fields looked for Jefferson to his right on a second down play at Houston's 36-yard line. The Steelers' offense was putting a drive together with a chance to put some points on the board, but without the challenge, the drive stalled and Pittsburgh punted after a failed third down conversion.
Another reporter in the press room asked Fields about the throw to Jefferson. It was almost the same question as the quarterback was asked before, but he still went out of his way to confirm his thoughts on the play.
"I think Van was in, yeah."
It's possible that Tomlin wasn't in any hurry to get more snaps for the majority of the first-team offense and thought he would simply let them try and convert on third down, but he is often stating this time of year that his unit is in the preparation and development stage. That should also go for him, and working on when to and when not to challenge should be something he is working on, even in year 18.
A new rule was put into place for 2024 and now, instead of having to win two challenges in a row to be granted a third, if a coach successfully wins his first challenge of the game, his team automatically retains it and still has two left for the remainder of the game. There really was no legitimate reason for Tomlin not to challenge the Jefferson "non-catch", and it should be too early for fans to already be worrying about in-game decision-making.
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Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin stands on the field at St. Vincent College as his team practices during 2023 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
Steelers Really Can't Afford In-Game Coaching Mistakes In 2024
Pittsburgh has a brutal schedule and is set to compete in, arguably, the best division in the NFL. Poor challenges, or failing to throw the flag when necessary, can change the momentum of a game. Tomlin hasn't been consistent in this area since taking over as the head coach in the Steel City. He can't afford to hold it in his pocket, but also needs to be wise about not challenging when he has remotely no chance of winning.
Do you think Tomlin should have challenged the incomplete pass to Jefferson? Let us know in the comments below!
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