The post-Mike Tomlin era for the Pittsburgh Steelers faces challenges. After an easy victory over the Atlanta Falcons in their season opener, the team faltered significantly in a 20-3 defeat to the New England Patriots in Week 2.

During the game, the Steelers managed to gain just 235 yards of total offense. Jaylen Warren was the only notable performer, recording over 44 yards. This lackluster display prompted a strong response from Mike Tomlin on NBC’s “Football Night in America.”

“From my perspective, they don’t have a place to hang their hat,” Tomlin said. “They haven’t established the run, they’re not performing well on third down, and they’re not achieving yards in chunks. Sometimes, chunk yards can cover other inadequacies. They can’t solve all their problems, but they better solve at least one and really soon.”

Tomlin’s frustration was shared by others. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers criticized the team’s offensive strategy, pointing out head coach Mike McCarthy’s role.

“In a game like today where there wasn’t a lot of flow, we need to be better — and it starts with me,” Rodgers commented. “I need to ensure Mike knows what’s working, what’s not, and so our coaches can call plays with a better winning chance.”

While last year saw injuries during Tomlin’s final season, the team’s offensive performance was statistically stronger. Tomlin’s team averaged 316.9 yards and 23.4 points per game. In contrast, McCarthy’s team averages 249.5 yards and 11.5 points per game after the first two games.