Madden Monday: Just blaming Mitch Trubisky for Steelers' loss is the easy way out

The lowest of low-hanging fruit is available for Steelers analysis in the wake of the team’s 16-14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens Sunday.

Backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky entered the game for an injured Kenny Pickett and threw three interceptions.

End of story.

But if you do that, it would be a disservice. Not necessarily to Trubisky. His mistakes were deadly for the team.

No, it’d just be a disservice to the truth because there were many other things that melted down at Acrisure Stadium.

During this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of TribLIVE and 105.9 The X is looking squarely at the rush defense and the special teams.

“The Ravens rushed for 215 yards,” Madden said. “I’m not giving the Steelers a pass because, for $108 million, you have to do better than that. While Mitch Trubisky was terrible and his three interceptions were at the heart of losing the game, I don’t think you can give the defense a free pass. I don’t think you give the special teams a free pass with a 17-yard punt and a blocked field goal.”

Related

• Airing of Grievances: Mitch Trubisky's interceptions, regressing run defense define Steelers loss to Ravens
• First Call: Ravens Pro Bowlers admits being exposed by Steelers; John Harbaugh hypes up last drive
• Steelers' run defense shredded again in loss to Ravens

Regarding special teams, Madden said coordinator Danny Smith isn’t taking enough heat.

“I still can’t believe that Danny Smith has held on for (nine years) as the coach of that unit. People say, how can you blame him for a blocked field goal or a 17-yard punt? Well, I have to blame somebody. I’m tired of hearing reasons why it’s not his fault,” Madden said.

According to Madden, if the fans and media just elect to throw the bulk of the blame on Trubisky’s shoulders, then that’s an example of the public being unwilling to have the conversation about what’s truly wrong with the franchise.

“So many things have gone into making this a 5-8 team. It’s not a 5-8 team through bad luck, although there were a lot of close losses. Bad teams lose close games. It’s not a 5-8 team just because Pickett got hurt (Sunday), and Trubisky threw three picks. It’s a 5-8 team because it’s not very good,” Madden said. “We keep trying to invent ways where this team is going to be a playoff team. Or, ‘This a bridge year. It’s going to be really good next year.’ I don’t know. I don’t think it is going to be a lot better next year.”

Madden and I also spent time talking about the baseball offseason. We analyze the Penguins’ weekend sweep of the Buffalo Sabres. And we get into the NCAA soccer finals and the World Cup semifinals.

Listen: Tim Benz and Mark Madden talk Steelers-Ravens, Penguins and MLB