Through the first eight games of the season, both the media and fans have expressed dissatisfaction with the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive. And it appears that some players have communicated their displeasure.
According to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, veteran right tackle Chukwuma Okorafor was furious with the Steelers calling the same run plays in the Steelers’ 20-10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week Eight, leading to a sideline outburst late in the game. This eventually led to his benching in Week Nine for rookie Broderick Jones, and he now appears to be on the bench for good.
Though Okorafor refused to discuss what happened or why against the Jaguars, noting that he’s moving forward and taking things day by day, Dulac claimed Friday that Okorafor was frustrated that the Steelers were running the same run plays while behind the Jaguars.
“Okorafor was irritated that the offense continued to use the same plays despite trailing the entire game, including 17-3 in the third quarter.” “It’s unclear to whom Okorafor directed his rage and what else he may have said or done,” Dulac writes.
Given the Steelers’ offensive struggles this season, including ranking 28th in total yards (278.5), 24th in passing yards per game (188.0), and 24th in rushing yards per game (90.5), not to mention 29th in points per game, it’s surprising Okorafor was upset about the same run plays being used against the Jaguars, given Pittsburgh rushed for 80 yards on 17 carries.
That performance is not nearly as dismal as the Steelers have produced at other times this season. However, the veteran offensive tackle’s aggravation reached a boiling point, which head coach Mike Tomlin judged “significant,” resulting to his benching.
With Okorafor on the bench, the Steelers rushed for 166 yards against the Tennessee Titans in Week Nine, with Jaylen Warren gaining 88 yards on 11 attempts and Najee Harris gaining 69 yards on 16 carries. The Steelers’ first-drive touchdown came on a 10-yard run by Harris, giving Pittsburgh its first since Week 15 of last season on the road against Carolina.
The incident provided Tomlin and the Steelers with an opportunity to make a change, bringing Jones into the lineup. He appears to be the starting right tackle for the rest of the season.
