The Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense has been a subject of concern for several seasons, and former Steelers tight end and current analyst, Ed Mackey, believes that there are common links that point to head coach Mike Tomlin as a major contributor to the team’s struggles on offense.
Mackey, who played for the Steelers from 1985 to 1991, made the comments during a recent appearance on a local Pittsburgh sports talk show. He pointed to the team’s lack of consistency and creativity on offense, as well as their inability to develop a strong running game, as evidence that Tomlin’s coaching style may be a major factor in the team’s struggles.
“I think there are some common links that point to Mike Tomlin,” Mackey said. “I think he’s a great coach, but I think he’s a defensive-minded coach. I think he’s always going to lean towards the defensive side of the ball, and I think that’s where the problem lies.”
Mackey’s comments come on the heels of a disappointing 2024 season for the Steelers, during which the team’s offense struggled to find consistency and scored just 20.5 points per game, which ranked 22nd in the NFL. The team’s running game was particularly ineffective, averaging just 95.5 yards per game, which ranked 28th in the league.
Tomlin, who has been the Steelers’ head coach since 2007, has long been known for his defensive-minded approach to the game. While the team’s defense has often been one of the strongest in the league under Tomlin’s leadership, the offense has frequently struggled to keep pace.
Mackey believes that Tomlin’s coaching style, which emphasizes discipline and fundamentals, may be too rigid and inflexible to allow the offense to truly flourish.
“I think Mike Tomlin is a coach who likes to do things a certain way,” Mackey said. “He likes to run the ball, he likes to play defense, and he likes to win games 17-14. But I think that’s not the way the game is played anymore. I think you need to be more creative, you need to be more explosive, and you need to be able to score points in bunches.”
While Mackey’s comments are sure to spark debate among Steelers fans, they do highlight a number of concerns that have been raised about Tomlin’s coaching style in recent years. As the Steelers look to rebuild and retool their offense this offseason, it will be interesting to see whether Tomlin is willing to adapt and evolve his approach to the game.
What’s Next for the Steelers?
The Steelers still have several needs to address this offseason, including:
Offensive coordinator: The Steelers are currently searching for a new offensive coordinator, after parting ways with Matt Canada.
Quarterback: The Steelers are uncertain about their quarterback situation, with Mason Rudolph and Kenny Pickett both vying for the starting job.
Wide receiver: The Steelers need to add depth and talent to their wide receiver corps.
The Steelers will likely address these needs through a combination of free agency and the draft. With a few key additions, the Steelers could be a serious contender for the Super Bowl in the 2025 season.
