Steelers' Tomlin warns WRs after drops: They can catch or get replaced
Coach Mike Tomlin issued an ultimatum to his receivers after dropped passes contributed to the Pittsburgh Steelers losing their first game of the season Monday.
"They can catch the ball or they can get replaced by those that will catch it. I expect guys to make routine plays routinely," Tomlin told reporters Tuesday, according to NFL Network's Aditi Kinkhabwala.
The Steelers were plagued by mental lapses, dropping seven passes during Monday's stunning loss to the Washington Football Team.
The Steelers had SEVEN drops tonight — their most over the last 15 seasons and most by any team this season. They've now dropped a league-high 31 passes this season (10 more than anybody else).
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) December 8, 2020
Drops have been a problem for the Steelers' receivers recently after issues first popped up during Week 12's matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.
Steelers: 5 drops vs. Ravens in Wk 12
— PFF (@PFF) December 3, 2020
Most they've had in a game this season pic.twitter.com/9cwjzpym2J
Wide receiver Diontae Johnson and Eric Ebron especially struggled to hang onto the football Monday, letting multiple passes fall through their grasp.
With their first loss in the books, the Steelers are now reeling after navigating through multiple injuries and schedule issues. Tomlin refused to use the obstacles as excuses.
"If you're a legit unit, a unit that has the goods, you can absorb irregularities in the schedule, missing players, and rise up," Tomlin said, according to ESPN's Brook Pryor.
The Steelers travel to Buffalo to take on the Bills in Week 14.