Steelers' Mike Tomlin Explains Controversial Decision To Ban His Offense From Throwing Across The Middle

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense has been a source of frustration for fans ever since Ben Roethlisberger retired. What was once a high-powered attack has transformed into a painfully slow-moving offense that often stalls. Many fans believed the blame rested with Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada.

When Canada was fired during the 2023 season, the offense seemed to open up. Against the Cincinnati Bengals, Kenny Pickett delivered his best performance to date, and the Steelers made use of the middle of the field, with tight end Pat Freiermuth exploding for nine catches and 120 receiving yards. Many fans saw this as the breakthrough the offense needed and expected the team to embrace throwing over the middle more. But, to their dismay, that hasn’t materialized.

A growing frustration among Steelers fans is Mike Tomlin’s apparent reluctance to take risks. While winning the turnover battle is crucial, playing it safe and allowing the offense to stall doesn't align with the demands of modern NFL football. On Tuesday morning, Steelers insider Mark Kaboly appeared on 93.7 The Fan and explained why Tomlin is hesitant to let his quarterbacks throw across the middle of the field.

"Mike Tomlin's been very transparent with that," Kaboly said. "When you throw the ball across the middle, a lot of bad things can happen. He's said that before. I don't know if he's said that publicly, but now it is publicly. He's said that before. So I mean, that tells you the mindset right there. He wants to stay away from turnovers, and he believes the majority of the turnovers do come from the middle of the field, throwing the ball."

The most frustrating part for fans is that Tomlin will tell them, face-to-face, that the team doesn’t live in their fears. Yet, his actions—during games, in game planning, and with adjustments—often suggest the opposite. It feels as though he's playing it too safe, avoiding risks instead of embracing opportunities. Tomlin would likely argue that he's simply trying to minimize mistakes and maximize the potential of his roster. Still, it seems there’s a lack of calculated risk-taking, especially with high-percentage throws that could open up the offense.

On one hand, avoiding the middle of the field can be a prudent decision. Sure, limiting turnovers increases the chance of winning, but without moving the chains and scoring touchdowns, victories are hard to come by. It's crucial that Tomlin and Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith begin to take more calculated risks with their offense. If they don't, the same disappointment that plagued the 2024 season will likely continue to haunt the team.

Hearing Kaboly discuss Tomlin's mindset isn’t exactly surprising. Many Steelers fans either knew or at least suspected this to be the case. However, hearing it confirmed by a Steelers insider who is so closely connected to the team makes it all the more frustrating.

Steelers' Mike Tomlin Is Holding His Offense Hostage

Tomlin clearly believes throwing the ball across the middle of the field is too risky for his offense, and that conservative approach is a big reason why the offense has consistently ranked among the worst in the league over the past few seasons.

In the end, Tomlin’s cautious approach may have its merits, but it's clear that the Steelers’ offense is stagnating because of it. The inability to take calculated risks, particularly in the middle of the field, limits the offense's potential and keeps them stuck in the past. 

For the Steelers to make real strides in 2025 and beyond, they need to find a balance between playing it safe and pushing the envelope when it matters most. Until then, the frustration among fans will only grow, as they watch an offense that refuses to evolve in a league that thrives on innovation and risk.

#SteelerNation