Steelers Players Undergoing Exit Interviews
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Less than 24 hours after their season ended with the shortest overtime in NFL history, Steelers players are undergoing "exit interviews" with their coaches and medical staff to determine what may need to be done in the off-season.
Just a day after the Denver Broncos knocked his team out of contention with a 29-23 overtime win, Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin gave his final news conference of the season today.
"It was a losing performance by us," he said. "We tip our cap to the Denver Broncos and we'll join the rest of the league in watching these guys move forward toward Indianapolis."
During the 13-minute news conference, Tomlin didn't make any excuses for his team -- which has been plagued by injuries all season.
"We acknowledge there can only be one and it's not us this year," Tomlin said. "That's what stings. Obviously, not only was it a goal, but it was what we were working toward."
"You know, there's always tough feelings that come with that but that's part of this deal and we'll move forward," he added.
Had the Steelers managed to pull out a win last night to move on to New England, they would likely have been without Max Starks, Casey Hampton and Brett Keisel.
Both Starks and Hampton suffered ACL injuries during Sunday's game in Denver. Keisel has a bad groin injury. They will be evaluated today to determine if surgery is necessary for next season.
The Steelers are meeting with coaches as well as the team's medical staff today --likely discussing such things as the possibility of surgery for Maurkice Pouncey's ankle and Doug Legursky's shoulder.
When asked about the future of his coordinators, Defensive Coordinator Dick LeBeau and Offensive Coordinator Bruce Arians, Tomlin said change is a part of the NFL -- it is a constant; but at this point, he does not anticipate any changes in his coaching staff. At the same time, though, he said he realizes that coaches and players do move on. Even so, Tomlin said it's still too early to speculate what might happen there at this point.
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