Steelers Fans Irate Over Mike Tomlin's Clock Management Before Halftime vs. Browns

Karl Rasmussen | Nov 21, 2024

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin during the first half against the Cleveland Browns. / Nick Cammett/Getty Images

The Pittsburgh Steelers entered halftime trailing the Cleveland Browns 10–3 on Thursday Night Football, having failed to get much offense going in the first 30 minutes.

Steelers fans were left questioning a clock management decision from coach Mike Tomlin, one which left Pittsburgh with precious little time to work with on their last drive of the half. On the Browns' prior drive, Tomlin elected to hold onto his final timeout while the clock was running on fourth down. Cleveland, who feigned as if they were going for it on fourth down, successfully wasted an additional 40-plus seconds before ultimately opting for a field goal.

That left the Steelers with just 40 seconds to try to get points on the board when they got the ball back, rather than the 1:20 they'd have had if Tomlin called timeout. Their last gasp effort to put up points before heading into the locker room came up short after Russell Wilson was sacked by Myles Garrett for the third time. Tomlin's gamble ultimately backfired, and he ended up holding onto the timeout altogether.

Fans weren't pleased with his clock management, and they took to social media to voice their displeasure.

Tomlin just got owned by Stefanski on that 4th down play. Was never gonna snap it. Wasted 35 seconds

— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) November 22, 2024

Steelers "save" the timeout to use on offense

never have a chance to even use it

desperate play calls because they didn't have enough time to execute a drive

could have used 40 seconds to call less desperate plays

what a horrible job by Tomlin, gross https://t.co/zMuHd7UYiG

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) November 22, 2024

I have no idea why Tomlin didn't call his third TO.

— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) November 22, 2024

Tomlin was bound and determined not to use that last timeout.

— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) November 22, 2024

Tomlin letting 40 seconds go to waste there by not calling his last timeout. #Steelers

— Josh Rowntree (@JRown32) November 22, 2024

Why didn’t Tomlin use a timeout while the Browns ran the clock? #Steelers #NFL

— Blitzburgh (@Blitz_Burgh) November 22, 2024

Why is Tomlin not calling timeout?

— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) November 22, 2024

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