Once a Steeler, always a Steeler. While appearing on ESPN’s First Take, former Steelers safety-turned-analyst Ryan Clark proved he will forever bleed Black and Gold.
Host Molly Qerim asked Clark if Head Coach Mike Tomlin was to blame for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week 12 loss to the Cleveland Browns. Clark, demonstrating immense loyalty to his former coach, defended Tomlin’s most questionable call—the acceptance of the illegal touching by an offensive lineman penalty in the fourth quarter—stating it was the correct decision.
Clark added that making the field goal attempt tougher with the acceptance of the penalty could have paid dividends for the Steelers if the defense had stopped the Browns.
Patrick Queen gets to Winston so fast on his blitz that there is no chance to throw to anyone. I do wish Tomlin had declined the illegal touching penalty, because I don’t think there is any chance the #browns actually would have actually gone for it in that situation. #tnf pic.twitter.com/0R1DuQbEHt
— Steeler Thoughts, Chief Feelings (@stcf715) November 22, 2024
The conversation shifted to discuss who was truly to blame, with the general consensus landing on Arthur Smith’s poor playcalling in Week 12. Pittsburgh will need to reevaluate its offensive approach moving forward, as the Cincinnati Bengals await the Steelers in Week 13 on December 1 at 1:00 PM EST.
