In a recent episode of his “Footbahlin” podcast, Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger voiced his concerns
over head coach Mike Tomlin’s decision-making during a crucial moment in the team’s first loss of the
season against the Indianapolis Colts. The game turned on a key drive where the Steelers, trailing by
three points, struggled to execute effectively in the final minutes.
With running back Najee Harris unable to get out of bounds on a long third-down play, the clock
continued to run. Tomlin opted to let the play clock wind down before attempting a risky fourth-down
pass to Van Jefferson, which ultimately resulted in a turnover. Roethlisberger argued that Tomlin should
have called a timeout to better strategize for that pivotal play. “You can’t rush that play call,” he
emphasized, stressing the importance of taking a moment to assess the situation and ensure the best
possible execution.
After the game, Tomlin defended his decision, stating that holding onto the timeout could provide a
strategic advantage against the defense. He believed that working at a faster pace might limit the
opposing team’s ability to make substitutions or adjustments. However, this rationale drew criticism, as
many felt it did not offer the same opportunity to the Steelers’ offense, who were facing immense
pressure to score.
As the Steelers look to rebound from this setback, all eyes will be on Tomlin and how he addresses these
late-game scenarios moving forward. With the season still young, fans remain hopeful that the team can
regroup and find their rhythm as they aim for playoff contention.
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