Steelers’ Offensive Line Takes Another Hit Before Facing Seattle
The Pittsburgh Steelers performed well in a Week 1 win against the New York Jets. That does not mean that the team was perfect in any way, however. The main concerning takeaways from the contest were in regards to the trenches. Both the offensive and defensive lines proved to be unreliable, and it's a miracle that a 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers in particular was able to find success on offense while being under pressure so often. It will certainly be an emphasis during the organization's preparation for a Week 2 matchup with the Seattle Seahawks, which will take place at Acrisure Stadium.
It was no secret entering the 2025 campaign that Offensive Line Coach Pat Meyer may have a lot of pressure on himself. The hot seat is a phrase that comes to mind, as his group hasn't exceeded expectations for pretty much his entire tenure in the Steel City. He could be looking for a new job come the 2026 offseason if his unit doesn't turn it around quickly.
It's not going to get easier for the big men up front with the Seahawks coming to town. The officiating crews for the Week 2 games were announced on Tuesday, and Pittsburgh definitely got some unsettling news when Scott Novak and his crew were assigned to travel to the Steel City. This could provide a unique challenge to Meyer's group of guys leading the way on offense.
There isn't a lot of data to go off of because the 2025 regular season just started, but Novak's group had a very easy trend to follow back in 2024. The offensive line is a focal point and a main target for throwing yellow flags. A season ago, Novak's crew called 41 false starts and 40 offensive holding penalties. The last thing a struggling Steelers offensive line needs is a penalty-happy collective in stripes.
During Pittsburgh's 2024 contest against the New York Giants, Novak was on the call and Mason McCormick was flagged for holding once. Despite it being in the Steel City, there were also two false starts charged to the Steelers. Additionally, Broderick Jones was also called for a facemask infraction. This Week 8 Monday Night Football matchup was the only one that Novak's crew had in 2024 involving Pittsburgh.
It certainly helps that the Steelers will be playing in front of a favorable crowd that is likely to be completely jacked up for the team's first home game of the season. Those emotions will cause a rush of adrenaline for the players, but it's pivotal to stay grounded. It's clear that Novak's officiating crew is going to hone in on the offensive line, which is why getting handsy early on with defensive lineman could lead to some costly penalties.
To make matters worse, Novak and co. were on the call for the Arizona Cardinals and New Orleans Saints' Week 1 battle. There were seven offensive holding penalties called, as well as four false starts. This would insinuate that this particular referee crew is holding onto the same values that it did back in the 2024 season. Pittsburgh's offensive line will have to be on its best behavior.
Steelers Have Recently Broken Tradition About Not Firing Coaches Midseason
Back in 2023, Pittsburgh relieved then-Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada of his duties in the middle of the year. That is very rare for the organization, but it proved that not all things are the same in the Steel City. If Meyer's group continues to play down to the competition, repercussions could first come to some of the linemen, but Meyer could also find himself walking into his office with an empty box to put his things.
BREAKING NEWS: Shanahan Complains About Saints Fans, Moore’s Sharp Reply Stuns Him
The NFL community was rocked this week after San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan made an unusual — and controversial — request. In a press conference ahead of the 49ers’ matchup with the New Orleans Saints, Shanahan called on the league to limit the number of Saints fans in the stadium, arguing that the raucous crowd noise was “out of control” and severely hampered his team’s ability to communicate on the field.
“The noise level in New Orleans doesn’t just challenge strategy — it threatens the fairness of the game itself,” Shanahan told reporters. “We need the NFL to step in and make sure the balance isn’t tilted by a crowd that refuses to let us execute.”
His remarks immediately set off a firestorm across the league. Saints fans, known for their passionate support in the Superdome, took to social media to mock Shanahan for what they saw as a desperate attempt to undercut their home-field advantage. Even neutral fans criticized the coach’s stance, noting that crowd noise has long been a defining feature of NFL culture.
But the story truly escalated when Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Kellen Moore decided to weigh in. Within just five minutes of Shanahan’s comments going public, Moore posted a short response that instantly went viral:
“If noise breaks you, football isn’t for you.”
The seven-word reply cut deep, drawing laughter from fans and analysts alike while leaving Shanahan in an awkward spotlight. Many interpreted Moore’s statement as a reminder that resilience under pressure is part of the job, and that no team should expect the league to mute a fan base simply for being too loud.
NFL analysts were quick to join the debate. Some defended Shanahan’s point, suggesting that extreme decibel levels can indeed disrupt communication and raise safety concerns. However, the majority sided with Moore, seeing his comment as a reflection of the toughness expected in professional football.
As the countdown to the 49ers-Saints clash continues, anticipation is at an all-time high. Fans in New Orleans now seem even more determined to make their voices heard, promising a deafening atmosphere that could rattle any visiting sideline.
For Shanahan, what began as a plea for fairness may have turned into added motivation for the Saints’ famously passionate fan base. And thanks to Kellen Moore’s perfectly timed jab, the pressure to deliver under the roar of the crowd just got louder than ever.
