In an AFC North showdown, the Pittsburgh Steelers took on the Baltimore Ravens in the wild-card round.
Baltimore defeated the Steelers 28-14. The game was not close. Baltimore manhandled the Steelers all game long. The Ravens had 299 total rushing yards compared to the Steelers having 29 rushing yards. Derrick Henry had a whopping 186 rushing yards and two rushing TDs. Lamar Jackson had 81 rushing yards, 175 passing yards, and two passing TDs. Despite missing Zay Flowers, the Ravens did not skip a beat on offense.
Pittsburgh on the other hand got shut out in the first, second, and fourth quarters. The WRs could not get open. Wilson struggled mightily once again. The offensive line got destroyed, allowing four sacks and a lot of pressure. The run game was non-existent. On the defensive side, the Steelers could not get off the field. If it wasn’t Henry running all over them, Lamar Jackson was. Jackson converted numerous 2nd and 3rd and long plays.
No team turned the ball over. It was simply one team that was just better than the other.
The Pittsburgh Steelers last won a playoff game on January 15, 2017. The drought continues.
Below, we discuss changes the Steelers must make after another embarrassing performance in the playoffs.
Steelers Ownership Needs To Step In And Make Drastic Changes
The Steelers have been trying to do the same thing for years and it is not working. Numerous changes need to be made.
1. Fire Mike Tomlin, Teryl Austin, & Pat Meyer
The first thing ownership must realize is this plan is not working. Mike Tomlin has not won a playoff game since January 15, 2017. He has been the constant throughout this drought and ownership continues to fail to realize he is not capable of taking the Steelers far in the playoffs. Tomlin must be traded or let go. Nothing will change as long as the Steelers keep allowing him to run the show.
Despite Tomlin running the defense, the Steelers need a brand new scheme and therefore should let defensive coordinator Teryl Austin go. Bring in a brand new regime to take over and get rid of Tomlin and Austin.
The third coaching change the Steelers need to make is getting rid of offensive line coach Pat Meyer. The offensive line has been poor since Meyer took over the position in 2022 and he has not helped improve the position. It feels like the offensive line gets worse and worse. Broderick Jones has not improved. It is time to let Meyer go after three years.
2. Let Russell Wilson Go
The Steelers brought in Russell Wilson for cheap and it did not work out. He collapsed in the final four weeks of the regular season and the wild-card round.
Justin Fields was his backup. If the Steelers can bring back Fields for cheap, he can be a bridge until the Steelers somehow find a franchise QB. However, Russell Wilson must go. He was a shell of himself. Sean Payton was correct in ditching him. Wilson has no escape abilities anymore and with how poor the offensive line is, he is a sitting duck.
The Steelers should not entertain the idea of bringing Wilson back.
3. Draft Wide Receiver In First Round
Whether George Pickens remains on the Steelers or not, Pittsburgh must draft a WR in the first round and trade or sign a stud WR in the offseason.
The WRs could not get open. The position was a glaring weakness before the season began and it was even worse than people anticipated.
Getting a QB in the first round in the 2025 NFL Draft is highly unlikely as this is not a good draft for QBs. Pittsburgh needs to add playmakers. Build a better roster until the Steelers can find a QB. Getting one or two good WRs in the offseason is mandatory. They can not get by with Van Jefferson and Mike Williams. The WRs the Steelers bring in need to be impactful.
