Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin says team ‘died on the vine’ during playoff loss
The Pittsburgh Steelers saw their 2020 season end on a frustrating note with a crushing wildcard round loss to the Cleveland Browns.
The Steelers struggled to match the Browns as an early 28-0 lead in the first quarter proved to be too much to overcome. Following the game, head coach Mike Tomlin voiced that his team simply didn’t show up against their AFC South rivals. (H/T Brooke Pryor of ESPN)
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“We didn’t do enough,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said of the late-season collapse. “We didn’t position them in enough good circumstances. We didn’t make enough plays, particularly in the critical moments. We were a group that died on the vine.”
The Steelers were marred by their early-game mistakes that put them in a tough spot. The Browns softened their performance a bit the rest of the way but played mistake-free football to secure their first playoff win in over a decade.
Meanwhile, the loss added to what was a disappointing collapse since winning their first 11 regular-season games. The Steelers dropped five out of their last six games, topped by a first-round playoff exit on their home field.
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The loss now pushes star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s future with the franchise. Roethlisberger is about to enter the final year of his deal but has hinted at possibly considering retirement. Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey is also heading into the last year of his contract.
The Steelers are entering an offseason where plenty of crucial questions must be answered concerning their long-term future.
