The Pittsburgh Steelers experienced a rare and dramatic collapse during the 2024 NFL season, culminating in a five-game losing streak and an embarrassing Wild Card loss to the Baltimore Ravens. This marked only the second time in head coach Mike Tomlin’s career that the Steelers lost five consecutive games, a sharp deviation from his usual success in maintaining team discipline and competitiveness.
Baltimore Ravens All-Pro cornerback Marlon Humphrey suggested that internal issues within the Steelers’ locker room may have contributed to their poor performance. Speaking on his podcast, *Punch Line*, Humphrey compared the Steelers’ struggles to the ongoing turmoil within the New York Jets organization. He hinted at underlying problems, noting that certain Steelers players’ body language and performance seemed to reflect deeper, unspoken issues. “It’s like there’s something internally going on there,” Humphrey said. He speculated that former teammates DeShon Elliott and Patrick Queen, who played in Baltimore and faced the Steelers, might have shared insights about the situation.
The Steelers’ disarray was evident during their Wild Card loss to the Ravens. Kirk Herbstreit, broadcasting the game for Amazon Prime, criticized the Steelers for their lackluster effort, particularly in the first half. “Where is the fight?! This is the Pittsburgh Steelers! They’re just going through the motions!” Herbstreit exclaimed. The Ravens dominated the Steelers on the ground, racking up 299 rushing yards—the most Pittsburgh has ever allowed in a postseason game. Midway through the third quarter, Baltimore had already amassed 242 rushing yards, completely overpowering the Steelers at the line of scrimmage.
The blowout loss prompted criticism from former Steelers players and coaches. Bill Cowher, a former Steelers head coach, called for significant changes within the organization during the CBS pregame show. “This isn’t just about losing; it’s the way they lost,” Cowher said. He highlighted the Ravens’ dominance, including a 13-play drive consisting entirely of rushing plays, as an indictment of the Steelers’ lack of toughness and preparation. Cowher emphasized that the Steelers now face a long offseason filled with tough questions about their coaching staff and roster.
Steelers legend and Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw echoed Cowher’s sentiments on *FOX NFL Sunday*. He expressed disbelief at the Steelers’ performance, pointing out their inability to stop either the run or the pass. “The defense was just horrible. They couldn’t do anything right,” Bradshaw said. He lamented the state of the team, noting that their current struggles are unrecognizable compared to the Steelers’ historically resilient identity.
The disastrous end to the Steelers’ season has sparked widespread criticism and calls for a major overhaul. With both on-field performance and internal dynamics under scrutiny, the organization faces a pivotal offseason to address its problems and restore its competitive edge.
Leave a Reply