The Pittsburgh Steelers are coming off a tough 24-19 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football, a game Steeler Nation would rather forget. Despite the disappointing outcome, the Steelers nearly staged a thrilling comeback. After struggling to generate points early and falling behind, the team was energized by a 30-yard run from backup quarterback Justin Fields. This spark allowed Russell Wilson and the offense to take over, eventually pushing Pittsburgh to a late 19-18 lead.

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Steelers’ Justin Fields runs with the football during Week 12 against the Cleveland Browns.

The game’s turning point came on a critical 3rd-and-4 late in the fourth quarter. Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith and Head Coach Mike Tomlin made the bold decision to let Fields attempt a pass in adverse weather instead of playing it safe. The pass fell incomplete, forcing the Steelers to give the ball back to the Browns, who ultimately scored and closed out the game. The decision immediately sparked debate among fans and analysts, with many questioning the choice in such a high-stakes moment.

On Tuesday, Tomlin was asked about the controversial play during his weekly media availability. His response has added to the discussion, as he stood by the decision while also acknowledging its impact on the outcome. The choice to trust Fields in that moment has become a major talking point, leaving many to wonder if a more conservative approach could have preserved the Steelers’ hard-fought lead. Tomlin has zero regrets about the choice to let Fields throw the ball to George Pickens.

“No, we felt good about it to be quite honest with you,” Tomlin said. “It was a waning moment, third and medium, 11 guys within five yards of the line of scrimmage, we had GP matched up on a corner not named Denzel Ward. That feels like more than a 50/50 ball to me and so we were more than comfortable with that decision.”

Tomlin offered his reasoning for choosing to have Fields throw the ball in that critical moment, and his explanation was logical. However, the reporter pressed him further, pointing out that Fields hadn’t thrown a pass in an NFL game in over a month.

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Steelers’ George Pickens takes his helmet off during loss to the Browns in Week 12 of the 2024 season.

When asked if he still stood by the decision, Tomlin didn’t back down. Instead, he doubled down on his stance, reaffirming his confidence in the call.

“Even though, certainly,” Tomlin said with confidence.

Steelers fans often criticize Tomlin for being too conservative, but this time, he took a different approach. Believing they had a favorable matchup, Tomlin and Smith called for a pass they considered a high-percentage play.

However, it seems they didn’t fully account for the poor weather conditions, which significantly impacted what could realistically be classified as “high percentage.” Fields had been effective running the ball in special packages, making the decision to pass even more surprising to some.

Steelers’ Mike Tomlin Has Zero Regrets About Letting Justin Fields Throw Against The Browns

Tomlin and Smith anticipated that the Browns would stack the box, expecting Fields to run on 3rd-and-short. Attempting to outsmart Cleveland, they chose to let Fields throw, despite the challenging conditions. The gamble didn’t pay off, as the pass fell incomplete.

While it was a calculated risk, Tomlin stood by the decision and stated he would make the same call again. It was a bold move aimed at securing a crucial road win that ultimately came up short.

Whether you agree with the call or not, Tomlin didn’t shy away from taking a chance. While the outcome didn’t favor the Steelers, a successful play could have sealed the victory and silenced critics. Instead, it adds to the ongoing debate about balancing risk and reward in high-pressure moments.