Former Steeler rips team's position group

The Steelers will likely have several positions they need to overturn in the offseason, but one of their former players doesn't believe it's close in terms of which group is the worst.

"[The tight ends] might be the worst group of route runners in the NFL. Half the time, they quit on routes," former Steeler Merril Hoge said on Pittsburgh's WDVE. "It's the only term I can think of, but our tight ends look like two turtles humping when you're blocking because you're not blocking anybody."

Hoge's opinion may be surprising to some as several other players in Pittsburgh have been struggling as of late, but he might have a point.

Tight ends Pat Freiermuth, Connor Heyward and Darnell Washington have combined for just 51 catches for 443 yards and two touchdowns through 13 games. That means the group is averaging just about four catches for 34 yards per game.

Granted, Freiermuth missed five games due to a hamstring injury and Washington is slowly being incorporated into the game plan as a rookie, but the unit has underwhelmed this year.

Hoge's comments come just after All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick ripped his team following its back-to-back losses to 2-10 opponents (Cardinals and Patriots).

"I think that dudes just think that because they're wearing the black and gold that they're going to win games," Fitzpatrick told reporters after the Steelers Week 14 loss. "I think we need to check that mentality and make people realize that they got to earn that mentality."

It seems head coach Mike Tomlin is starting to lose his locker room, which would certainly be a first during his 17-year tenure in Pittsburgh. But the mentality clearly needs to change, and it starts with Tomlin leading the charge.