Blame it on the game plan, Mark Madden and Tim Benz say.

The TribLIVE columnists got together Monday morning to discuss the Steelers’ loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, and they determined the Steelers coaches didn’t allow the offense and first-time starting quarterback Mason Rudolph do anything to rise to the occasion.

The guys also discuss the merits of James Conner remaining as the starting running back, the immediate impact of new acquisition Minkah Fitzpatrick at safety and whether Mike Tomlin is on the hot seat.

Spoiler alert: Madden and Benz say that with Ben Roethlisberger hurt, Tomlin has a built-in excuse for the potential disaster of a season the Steelers are facing, and Tomlin is not on the hot seat.

Check out the whole segment below.

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