By Josh 
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ path to another Super Bowl seems distant, primarily due to the franchise’s lack of a long-term solution at quarterback. Since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement following the 2021 season, the Steelers have struggled to find consistency at the quarterback position. Multiple strategies have been attempted, but none have provided the stability needed for sustained success. This ongoing issue has been compounded by other factors, particularly the team’s failure to win a playoff game since 2016.
One of the most concerning critiques recently came from Super Bowl champion Julian Edelman, who pointed out that the Steelers’ defense looks identical to what it was when he was still playing. This was a pointed critique of Head Coach Mike Tomlin, suggesting a lack of necessary adjustments over time.
Roethlisberger, in a recent episode of his podcast Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger, shared his agreement with Edelman’s assessment. Rather than defending Tomlin, Roethlisberger acknowledged the truth in the criticism, stating, “If you don’t [change], you’ve got to change with the times. We’re not trying to confuse people like other teams do. Other teams are confusing people.”
Roethlisberger highlighted an example from the AFC Championship Game, where Kansas City Chiefs Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo sent a cornerback on a blitz for the first time in the game, creating a critical moment that changed the flow. This kind of creative defensive adjustment is something that Roethlisberger believes has been lacking in Pittsburgh’s defense for some time.
The fact that Roethlisberger—who retired less than five years ago—has witnessed firsthand the lack of adaptation in the Steelers’ defense is alarming. His comments point to a concerning reality: the Steelers’ inability to innovate may be holding them back.
“At some point, you have to decide that you’re going to throw different wrinkles at teams,” Roethlisberger continued. “That’s something that the Steelers, they got to get away from.”
What is puzzling is how many outside voices, including Roethlisberger and Edelman, see the need for change, while it seems the organization is resistant to adapting. Roethlisberger, as a franchise legend with firsthand experience of what it takes to win championships, aligning with public criticism of Tomlin is especially telling.
As the Steelers head into 2025 and beyond, it’s unclear whether the team will make the necessary adjustments. Fans have seen the same struggles year after year, raising doubts about whether Tomlin is willing—or able—to adapt to the modern NFL.
Steelers’ Struggles Could Leave Them Behind in AFC
The AFC is packed with talent, particularly on the offensive side of the ball, and the Steelers’ offense must make significant strides to compete. However, their defense also needs to evolve. This modernization starts with Tomlin, and while he may not be swayed by the critiques of former players like Edelman or Roethlisberger, the hope is that someone within the organization will bring these concerns to his attention. Without meaningful changes, the Steelers risk falling further behind in the highly competitive AFC.