Hayward downplays Johnson-Fitzpatrick feud, says it should have stayed in locker room.
If a defense only allows 13 points, they won’t lose many games in the NFL.
However, the Pittsburgh Steelers won last week against the Cleveland Browns.
That was the final straw for offensive coordinator Matt Canada.
Besides the Canadiens’ sacking, the biggest story of the week in nearly a week was the postgame altercation between WR Diontae Johnson and S Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick became angry and upset with others when Johnson lost his temper and became involved with other veterans.
“It’s outrageous that this has become a headline,” captain Cameron Hayward said on the latest episode of the Not Just Football podcast about the incident, which aired Saturday night on ESPN.
“You’d think everyone in the dressing room would have some understanding because he’s in the dressing room.
“I’m sure everyone had an emotional fight in the dressing room after a game they thought they should have won.”
The Steelers faced the Cleveland Browns, who lost QB Deshaun Watson for the season, after winning two straight and four of their last five games.
The offense managed just 10 points before the defense got the final possession, allowing rookie QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson to score the game-winning touchdown and break a 10-10 tie.
Johnson was targeted eight times on the day, including three consecutive fumbles on the opening possession before Cleveland’s final drive, which gained 16 yards.
There were several instances where he and QB Kenny Pickett were not on the same page.
A week ago, he had one catch on four targets for 17 yards. But overall, the Steelers’ high-powered offense brought things to a boil.
I heard it in locker room conversations. And they made it public.
“What’s in the dressing room stays in the dressing room. It’s not for everybody,” Hayward said.
“If you work at a company and talk to HR, is it shared with everyone or does it stay internal?”
He points out he’s seen his fair share of similar arguments in the locker room, saying they’re all too common as he fumes with frustration at not being able to capitalize on the opportunity.
“But communication, direct problem solving and being accountable to your prospects are key to all of this,” he said. –
I have water on my back. It just moves and you make it move.”I’m sure this won’t be the only “scandal” in Pittsburgh this season.
There were certainly a lot of players in the league. Still, it’s hard to ignore the timing, which coincides with the long-awaited sacking of a vicious coach.
What is understandable is the frustration.
Things were not looking good both structurally and on the ground.
If you can’t make a play and you can’t make a play there and you lose, you communicate and talk about it in a week.
