ESPN’s Booger McFarland Blames “Soft” Offensive Line for Steelers Struggles

The Pittsburgh Steelers have lost consecutive games after beginning the season 11-0, and ESPN’s Booger McFarland is placing the team’s recent struggles on the offensive line.

Discussing the Steelers and their recent skid on Monday Night Countdown, McFarland questioned the unit’s toughness in running the football and called them “soft.”

“From an offensive standpoint, the offensive line has been playing terrible. They’re soft,” McFarland said. “People talk about running the football. You can’t run the football if you get no movement. You watch the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive line play. They’re in two-point stances, they’re backpedaling, passing off games all day. Nobody’s coming off hitting anyone in the mouth.”

The Steelers have been struggling lately and @ESPNBooger says its because their o-line is "soft". pic.twitter.com/4I9yDc4nIx

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) December 15, 2020

Pittsburgh owns the league’s second-worst rushing offense, averaging 89.1 yards a contest. They also have just eight rushing touchdowns, tied for the second-fewest in football. The Steelers have rushed for under 50 yards in four games this season.

One member of the Steelers offensive line took exception with McFarland’s comments, as center Maurkice Pouncey fired back at the ESPN analyst on Instagram early Tuesday morning.

“These quotes are the same reason why you are not on Monday Night Football anymore,” Pouncey posted to his Instagram story.

Last night on ESPN Booger McFarland called the #Steelers offensive line “soft.”

Maurkice Pouncey didn’t like that, I guess. pic.twitter.com/vFDcBrwssE

— Josh Rowntree (@JRown32) December 15, 2020

McFarland spent one season as the lead color announcer on ESPN’s Monday Night Football broadcast, but was replaced this year by Louis Riddick and Brian Griese.

The Steelers will have another opportunity to get their anemic run game going this week, as they face the league’s 28th-ranked rush defense in the Cincinnati Bengals.