For the first time since the pre-Roethlisberger era, the Steelers face an identity crisis.
After falling to Buffalo in sizeable fashion on Sunday, ESPN reported that Pittsburgh currently holds the No.1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, something that hasn’t happened since 1970 when they drafted Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw.
While it’s still too early to determine next year’s draft order, the Steelers are not showing any signs of turning things around quickly.
Many individuals are facing heat for their efforts, or lack thereof, but one player who is taking responsibility for the team’s poor performance is defensive lineman Cam Heyward.
Heyward said that the team led in time of possession on Sunday but couldn’t do anything with the ball in that time. He said that needs to change going forward.
Heyward adds that no individual performance mattered on Sunday.
Linebacker Alex Highsmith said Sunday’s game should be a learning opportunity.
The Steelers’ secondary on defense also had a poor game, giving up a 98-yard and a 62-yard touchdown to Bills receiver Gabe Davis.
Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick said the secondary’s performance was unusual.
The Steelers did receive some good news yesterday. Tight end Pat Freiermuth, who left Sunday’s game with a concussion, was in the team’s locker room yesterday and was “in good spirits.”
The team hits the practice field again today to start preparations for Sunday’s home game against Tampa Bay.
NFL
Week Five of the NFL season wrapped up last night as the Kansas City Chiefs clinched a 30-29 comeback win over the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders blew a 20-10 halftime lead and the Chiefs got their first lead late in the third quarter after an 8-yard touchdown reception by Travis Kelce. The Raiders scored a late touchdown by couldn’t convert a two-point conversion attempt in the fourth, sealing their one-point loss.
Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams could face a suspension and a fine after shoving an ESPN camera operator following the team’s loss to Kansas City on Monday. Adams issued an apology on Twitter later in the night, citing frustration as the main cause for the shove. No official punishment has been announced yet.
The Carolina Panthers fired their head coach Matt Rhule yesterday following the team’s 37-15 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. Rhule was in his third year of a seven-year contract, but has had underwhelming results, going 11-27 since signing with the team and 1-4 this season. Defensive pass coordinator Steve Wilks was named the interim head coach.
Panthers’ defensive coordinator Phil Snow was also fired on Monday.
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