Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is sacked by Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Maliek Collins during the first half of an NFL football game in Cleveland, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is sacked by Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Maliek Collins during the first half of an NFL football game in Cleveland, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026
The Steelers offensive line regressed Thursday night in their pass protection, and showed a key weakness to Mike McCarthy’s offense that other teams will attempt to replicate in coming contests.
Pittsburgh’s pass protection unit allowed season-highs of five sacks, 19 pressures and a 11.1% sack rate in their 27-24 loss to the Browns at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland.
After the Steelers offensive line had a bounce back performance in their win against the Bengals on Sunday, McCarthy’s offensive line regressed against a Browns defense that tested the Steelers with an aggressive defensive plan to blitz, play press coverage, and force the Steelers’ pass protection to give 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers a stable pocket for enough time to attack downfield.
“I think it was an aggressive game plan by them,” McCarthy said after the game. “I kind of expected some of it, but I thought it was a very competitive environment tonight, and we were one play short.”
The Steelers offense scored on its opening possession with a methodical 17-play touchdown drive, but then only scored one field goal over the course of their next eight drives, leaving the Steelers in a 21-10 deficit going into the fourth quarter. The Browns didn’t change their plan as the game continued, blitzing the Steelers on 35.5% of Rodgers’ dropbacks.
“We had some protection challenges,” McCarthy acknowledged. “They did a good job up front. It was a five-man pressure, man-to-man game. They established that right from the beginning.”
McCarthy tried different looks, but the Steelers struggled to recognize and coordinate their pass protection against the Browns’ blitzes. Rookie right tackle Max Iheanachor had a strong rookie debut against the Bengals, but allowed six pressures against the Browns — the most by any Steeler in a game this season — two of which led to sacks.
Iheanachor wasn’t alone in a rough night. Brock Hoffman and Troy Fautanu each allowed three pressures, while Mason McCormick and Jaylen Warren each were charged with allowing a sack by Pro Football Focus.
The consistent pressure against Rodgers disrupted the Steelers’ passing attack throughout the contest. The Browns’ pressure paired well with their press coverage as Steelers receivers struggled to get open for high-percentage targets. McCarthy placed a considerable weight on the Steelers’ struggles on their targets not getting open.
“That's the challenge that we went up against all night,” McCarthy said. “It was herky-jerky. When you play those games, it's who is going to make the big play. You have to step out of tackles, you have to separate, you have to give him time to get through the progression.”
The Browns came into Thursday night ranked 20th in the NFL in sack rate and 18th in passing yards allowed. They also averaged less than a takeaway per game coming into the contest. Although they played well, they’re hardly from the most talented or challenging defenses the Steelers will face this season.
Pat Freiermuth scored the Steelers’ final touchdown of the game that set up Rodgers’ tying quarterback sneak on a two-point conversion. He didn’t agree with McCarthy’s assessment that players weren’t getting open.
“Aaron was hitting open receivers and we were getting open for him,” Freiermuth said. “Just got to be more consistent throughout the game.”
Rodgers had his own assessment of went wrong with the passing attack.
“I wouldn't say it was our cleanest game all the way around,” Rodgers said. “They're a good defense so you gotta give them credit. They were getting after us on some of the long yardage stuff that we weren't winning a bunch. I missed some throws I usually hit ... I'm going to have to look at the film. It didn't seem like there was a ton of guys running free but I'll have to look at the film.”
The three different assessments of the Steelers’ passing struggles by their head coach and playcaller, quarterback, and one of their top targets, show the tension and issues the offense has to sort out moving forward.
The timing of the Steelers’ passing attack was thrown off throughout the contest, especially when the Browns’ pass rush and coverage plans dared the Steelers to push the ball downfield. If the Steelers hope to not allow Thursday night to be a blueprint for future defenses against them, they’ll need to plan adjustments to respond faster in games.
While the Steelers’ playmakers getting open is an issue of concern, they’re not the group with four recent draft picks from Omar Khan and Andy Weidl in first-rounders Iheanachor and Fautanu, second-rounder Zach Frazier, and fourth-rounder Mason McCormick.
McCarthy acknowledged ahead of Thursday’s contest that there would be additional challenges with communications to Iheanachor and the young offensive line from Rodgers in the hostile environment on the road. Those challenges will resurface if the Steelers offensive line doesn’t show more progress like they did against the Bengals on Sunday and less regression like their performance Thursday night.
First Published: October 4, 2026, 1:00 a.m.