Steelers' Najee Harris Fires Back At Offensive Criticism In Week 2: "It's The Same S***"

The Pittsburgh Steelers pulled off an ugly win over the Denver Broncos in Week 2. That win shook a proverbial monkey off the back of Head Coach Mike Tomlin, who has never beaten Sean Payton. Tomlin also hasn't won a game in Denver since 2009, despite beating the Broncos three times in a row at home. 

However, just because they won, doesn't mean there isn't frustration. The Steelers were once again the subject of significant attention from the officiating crew. While there were some questionable calls, there were also many legitimate ones, especially from Joey Porter Jr. Add Broderick Jones to that list, who actually ended up being benched. 

Pittsburgh started off strong, with quarterback Justin Fields able to move the ball at will. However, the Broncos clearly made adjustments at halftime and figured out how to shut Fields down. After the game, running back Najee Harris expressed his concerns that the Steelers failed to also adjust via Mark Kaboly from The Pat McAfee Show.  

"They were playing one-high (safety) all game. It's tough for the running backs, but s**t, we just have to execute on these passes... it's the same s**t. We just have to execute."

Kaboly said that Harris wasn't angry with Fields, but more frustrated about how the constant penalties kept killing any drives they were able to get going. They weren't able to sustain anything, which allowed the Broncos to render him ineffective. 

He had a solid start to the game against the Broncos, but Kaboly pointed out that he had two yards less on average in the second half than in the first half. In the squeaked-out win in Week 1, many felt that the coaches were just being conservative, not wanting to push Fields too much; Harris quickly shot that down. 

"We aren't being conservative. We are just (expletive) ourselves. We make a play and get a penalty that pushes us back and gets us off schedule. The plays you want to run, you can't run anymore because it is 2nd and 12. If you take away those penalties, the stat sheet looks better."

It is not certain that Fields has the starting job yet moving forward. It is still possible that Tomlin could give it back to Russell Wilson once he is fully healed as planned. However, in the meantime, Fields is offering other defenses, such as the playbook on how to beat the Black and Gold, or at least how to rattle their cages. Fields and new Offensive Coordinator, Arthur Smith, must show they can adapt and adjust to the pressure put on them.   

The Steelers' home opener is Week 3 at Acrisure Stadium against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers are also 2-0 and will look to continue their undefeated streak in the Steel City.

The Steelers Are Getting In Their Own Way

There is something to say about playing in Pittsburgh. This comes out often after a new player is signed. They admit they always wanted to play for Tomlin and/or such a storied franchise. However, that doesn't mean Pittsburgh hasn't had its fair share of divas or players who feel they are on a different level than their teammates. 

Jones took responsibility for the penalties postgame, but expressed to the media that he wasn't that interested in the game. Rookie Troy Fautanu was given the start over Jones, which rubbed the second-year player the wrong way. He told the media that if he wasn't starting, then he shouldn't be playing. It isn't really a "big factor" for him. This comment comes on the heels of hearing from Chris Hoke that Jones seemed "disinterested" in training camp. Perhaps he feels threatened by the addition of Fautanu. However, the two young tackles were meant to be the future of this offense, and where it goes from here depends largely on Jones getting out of his own way. 

What did you think went wrong in the second half in Week 2? Click to comment below. 

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