
Pittsburgh Steelers ‘not going to push the panic button,’ says coach Mike Tomlin
Pittsburgh Steelers ‘not going to push the panic button,’ says coach Mike Tomlin
- Steelers
-
SportsWriters
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that the team was “not going to push the panic button,” despite a 1-2 start and a disappointing offense led by 39-year-old quarterback Ben Roethlisberger playing behind a similarly substandard offensive line.
“What do I mean by the panic button?” said Tomlin in his weekly news conference. “We’re not going to dramatically change who and what we are at this juncture. We’re not resistant to change for the purposes of getting better, but we’re not going to be so unsteady that we move away from our compass, our identity, that we’ve worked hard to develop, and will continue to work hard to develop, and the emphasis on the style of play, whatever that may be in all three phases.”
Despite Roethlisberger’s disappointing display, Tomlin insisted that the team would not increase his practice workload. It is well known that the 39-year-old Roethlisberger does not usually participate in Wednesday practice sessions during the regular season.
“It rests him and rightfully so,” said Tomlin. “He’s an older guy and the wear and tear of plays affects him differently than younger guys. But also he’s an older guy and he has a volume of plays that most guys can’t pull from that probably requires [them] more physical work and an effort to be ready to play.”
Roethlisberger admitted after the 24-10 loss to Cincinnati on Sunday that “everything hurts” for him. The quarterback was sacked four times in the game, but Tomlin said he was not concerned about his health, insisting that the 18-year veteran was only dealing with “bumps and bruises.”
Roethlisberger was sacked eight times in the last three games and was dropped 13 times in 15 starts last season.
The Steelers are currently sitting at the bottom of their division with only 159 rushing yards in three weeks, and Roethlisberger has recorded only a 35.5 quarterback rating, 28th in the league. This year was also the first time since 2013 where Pittsburgh is below .500 three games into the season.









Social comments
Like his quarterback a few days earlier, Mike Tomlin said the Steelers aren't hitting the panic button. Even after a 1-2 start with glaring, repeated offensive issues, they're sticking to the status quo.
Tomlin, Big Ben: Steelers won't hit 'panic button' https://espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/32299609/pittsburgh-steelers-not-ready-push-panic-button-1-2-start-offensive-woes?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter… #Steelers
Otis not panicking to acknowledge it is not working. What the last 2 games show is that this offense will not work. #Steelers Tomlin, Big Ben: Steelers won't hit 'panic button' - via @ESPN App
While the Steelers rank last in the NFL with 159 rushing yards and QB Ben Roethlisberger is struggling with a QBR of 35.5, coach Mike...
The should hit that button, like quick fast and in a hurry #nfl #football CAM? Tomlin, Big Ben: Steelers won't hit 'panic button' - via @ESPN App
I mean it’s not like he’s gonna say the man needs to retire — Pittsburgh Steelers not ready 'to push the panic button' after 1-2 start, offensive woes - via @ESPN App