Mike Tomlin Speaks out on Steelers ‘Struggling’ Offense at Training Camp

The Pittsburgh Steelers made a lot of offensive changes after losing their final five games of the 2024 NFL season. But those changes for Mike Tomlin’s team haven’t yielded terrific results through the first week and a half of training camp.

Tomlin, though, doesn’t sound worried in the slightest. The head coach downplayed the team’s offensive performance when asked about the unit’s struggles after Friday night’s practice.

“I just think it’s usual for this time of year,” Tomlin told reporters. “Defenses usually develop a little faster than offenses. The get-to-know, the cohesion that’s required to be good, it’s just a component of it.

“No alarm bells there.”

It shouldn’t be super shocking the Steelers offense hasn’t built chemistry yet to be firing on all cylinders. Pittsburgh will have a new starting quarterback, starter in the backfield and No. 1 receiver. Three offensive linemen are also either new starters or starting in a new spot in 2025.

Training Camp, Preseason Not Always an Indication of Regular Season Success

The Steelers offense was better under quarterback Russell Wilson last season. But Wilson and the unit wasn’t good enough for the team to bring back the veteran quarterback and others such as running back Najee Harris and left tackle Dan Moore.

Pittsburgh also traded away the team’s 2024 leading receiver George Pickens.

With Aaron Rodgers and a few other veteran additions, there’s pressure on Tomlin’s offense to be much better this fall. But it might not be immediate because the unit is still getting acclimated to its new parts.

Rodgers also missed a lot of offseason workouts. While he had throwing sessions with DK Metcalf outside of team practices, Rodgers’ absence in May (he hadn’t signed with the Steelers yet) could have played a role in the unit’s lack of cohesion in July.

It’s important to note, though, that preseason success doesn’t mean anything when September comes. Steelers fans should remember two years ago when Kenny Pickett and the team’s offense looked terrific in the 2023 preseason.

Pickett completed 13 of 15 passes for 199 yards and two touchdowns in that preseason. Then as soon as the regular season began, things were very different. Pickett posted a 81.4 passer rating and a 38.1 QBR in the 2023 regular season.

Mike Tomlin’s Defense ‘A Little Further Along’

The Steelers offense struggling might not only be the result of a lack of chemistry.

Last season, Pittsburgh’s defense was ranked in the top 12 in both points allowed and yards yielded. Then this offseason, the Steelers made the bold trade for cornerback Jalen Ramsey in the hopes of improving the team’s biggest defensive weakness — the secondary.

It wouldn’t be shocking if the Steelers have a top five defense in 2025. If that’s the case and the unit is playing like that in training camp, Rodgers and the offense have been facing a difficult challenge every day.

“Like Tomlin says, the Steelers’ defense is a little further along,” wrote Steelers Depot’s Troy Montgomery. “That’s mostly because that unit has undergone less change.

“It lost one of its biggest communicators in Minkah Fitzpatrick, but besides that, most of the core pieces remain. Some players, like Patrick Queen, might feel more comfortable in Pittsburgh’s system this year, too.”

The Steelers offense will have its first opportunity to square off against a different defense, the Jacksonville Jaguars, on Saturday, Aug. 9.