Jan. 17—There are many layers to strip and examine from the season that ended quickly but not surprisingly for the Steelers, though the most difficult aspect going forward will be determining if their findings are something upon which to build or something that needs to be restructured.
It would be easy to commend the Steelers for making the postseason in a year in which there was much upheaval in the roster, losing seven starters during the offseason and another three to injury during the season. It would be easy to applaud the fight and determination that saw them win three of their final four games to make the postseason, including each of the final two in which they faced but survived elimination. That, in itself, was an encouraging sign after the late-season collapses that defined each of the final three years.
But there they were, exiting the postseason in a manner that has afflicted them all season — no offensive production in the first half and a defense that allowed 510 yards to the Kansas City Chiefs in a 42-21 defeat. Losing to the Chiefs, who are trying to get to the Super Bowl for the third year in a row, was not a surprise. Nor was the manner in which they lost.
In five of the final six games on the road, they allowed 196 points and were outscored 115-20 in the first half. And one of their scores was T.J. Watt's fumble return for touchdown against the Chiefs.
That's what the Steelers have to address as they head into an offseason that will be so different than any they've experienced in the past 18 years. And the primary reason is because Ben Roethlisberger won't be around to lead them.
Since 2004, they could wake up every morning knowing they were never out of any game, never out of any season, because of Roethlisberger. Even when the Steelers wavered about bringing him back this season, all he did was keep proving to them and everyone else why he is one of the most clutch quarterbacks in NFL history. In seven of their nine victories, it was Roethlisberger who delivered one of his 42 career fourth-quarter comebacks or 53 game-winning drives.
In the playoff-clinching victory in Baltimore 10 days ago, he did both — leading what appeared to be a fourth-quarter comeback in the final three minutes, then orchestrating the game-winning drive in overtime.
Roethlisberger tried again against the Chiefs, throwing for 190 of his 214 yards in the second half, but the 21-7 halftime hole that became 28-7 on the first possession of the second half was too deep.
Roethlisberger's retirement will have a profound effect on an offense that had trouble scoring points with him. But so will a decision to retain Matt Canada, who has at least a year remaining on his contract, as offensive coordinator.
The Steelers averaged six points per game fewer than they did in 2020 and scored fewer than 20 points in more than half of their 17 regular season games. What's more, they scored just 37 points in the first quarter during the regular season — tied for fewest in the NFL. Many players did not seem to buy in to what plays he was calling, including the quarterback.
Then there is matter of what will happen if defensive coordinator Keith Butler decides to retire. Will Mike Tomlin bring in a defensive coordinator to fix the worst rush defense in the league, or promote from within so he can continue to run the defense as he has the past three seasons?
Certainly something is amiss when the defense allows at least 42 points in the past three playoff games. No team in history has ever allowed 135 points in three consecutive playoff games, according to Elias Sports Bureau.
But maybe the biggest question of all: Will general manager Kevin Colbert finally decide he's had enough when his contract expires after the 2022 NFL draft? Colbert's departure could have the biggest impact of all in the short term, perhaps even pushing the Steelers further away from getting back to the Super Bowl instead of closer.
To be sure, they are not trending in that direction. The Steelers haven't won a playoff game since 2016 and haven't been to the Super Bowl since 2010. For a franchise with a stated goal every year of winning the Super Bowl, the Steelers haven't done that in 13 years.
OK, that's not the size of the drought that existed for 26 years between their Super Bowl victories in 1979 and 2005, but it doesn't appear that dry spell is going to end anytime soon.
It would be easy to be satisfied with another playoff appearance and duped into thinking the team is on the right track. But further examination should prove otherwise. And it will be up the Steelers to pay attention to their findings.
Gerry Dulac: gdulac@post-gazette.com and Twitter @gerrydulac.
