The 2003 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 71st season as a professional sports franchise and as a member of the National Football League.
Their season began with the team trying to improve on their 10–5–1 record from 2002 in which they lost to the Tennessee Titans in the divisional round of the playoffs.
With the team suffering through injuries as well as less reliance on the running game than normal, the Steelers stumbled to a 6–10 record, going the entire season without winning consecutive games. Since moving to Heinz Field in 2001, this was the Steelers' first season with a losing record and their first season missing the playoffs. The team's record is tied with that of the 1999 season as the worst for a season under head coach Bill Cowher.
In his final season with the team, linebacker Jason Gildon became the franchise's career sack leader during a game against the Arizona Cardinals on November 9.
Since then, this represents the most recent losing season for the Steelers.
Undrafted free agents
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2003 Pittsburgh Steelers staff
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Front office
- Chairman – Daniel M. Rooney
- President – Arthur J. Rooney II
- Vice president – John R. McGinley
- Vice president – Arthur J. Rooney, Jr.
- Administration advisor – Chuck Noll
- Director of business – Mark Hart
- Business accounting coordinator – Jim Ellenberger
- Human relations/office coordinator – Geraldine Glenn
- Business operations – Omar Khan
- Accounting manager – Jodie Spagnolli
- Communications coordinator – Ron Wahl
- Public relations/media manager – David Lockett
- Website/network administrator – Scott Phelps
- Marketing
- Director of marketing – Tony Quatrini
- Marketing coordinator – Rick Giugliano
- Client services administrator – Amy Corbett
- Marketing manager – John Wodarek
- Producer/broadcasting manager – Rick Fairbend
- Marketing/community relations manager – Lynne Molyneaux
- Marketing assistant – John Simpson
- Marketing assistant – Mike Marchinsky
- Ticket operations
- Ticket manager – Ben Lentz
- Season ticket assistant – Libby Patcher
- Football operations
- Director of football operations – Kevin Colbert
- College scouting coordinator – Ron Hughes
- Pro scouting coordinator – Doug Whaley
- Pro/college scout – Phil Kreidler
- College scout – Mark Gorscak
- College scout – Bob Lane
- College scout – Bruce McNorton
- College scout – Dan Rooney
- College scout – Bill Nunn
- BLESTO Scout – Kelvin Fisher
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
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Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
- Conditioning coach – Chet Fuhrman
- Medical staff
- Ophthalmologist – Dr. Randy Beatty
- Physician, orthopedic – Dr. James P. Bradley
- Neurological surgeon – Dr. Joseph Maroon
- Physician, M.D. – Dr. Richard Rydze
- Physician, consultant – Dr. Abraham J. Twerski
- Physician, M.D. – Dr. Anthony P. Yates
- Training staff
- Head athletic trainer – John Norwig
- Assistant athletic trainer – Ryan Grove
- Assistant athletic trainer – Ariko Iso
- Football staff
- Player development coordinator – Anthony Griggs
- Equipment manager – Rodgers Freyvogel
- Field manager – Rich Baker
- Field/equipment assistant – Kalvin Jones
- Video coordinator – Bob McCartney
- Video assistant – Andy Lizanich
- Video assistant – Rob Brakel
- Photographers – Mike Fabus
[1]
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Notable additions include Troy Polamalu and Ike Taylor.
Note: Intra-divisional opponents are in bold text.
Pittsburgh won their season opener for the first time since 1999.[6]
| Scoring summary
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| Quarter
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Time
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Drive
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Team
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Scoring information
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Score
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| Plays
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Yards
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TOP
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BAL
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PIT
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| 1
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10:19
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10
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69
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4:41
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Steelers
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29-yard field goal by Jeff Reed
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0
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3
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| 1
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4:01
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8
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15
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3:21
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Steelers
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31-yard field goal by Jeff Reed
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0
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6
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| 2
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2:57
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8
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90
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4:08
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Steelers
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Hines Ward 4-yard touchdown reception from Tommy Maddox, Jeff Reed kick good
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0
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13
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| 3
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9:49
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8
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60
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3:23
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Steelers
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Jay Riemersma 20-yard touchdown reception from Tommy Maddox, Jeff Reed kick good
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0
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20
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| 3
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3:54
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1
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28
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0:07
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Steelers
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Hines Ward 28-yard touchdown reception from Tommy Maddox, Jeff Reed kick good
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0
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27
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| 3
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1:56
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3
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80
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1:58
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Ravens
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Jamal Lewis 14-yard touchdown run, Matt Stover kick good
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7
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27
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| 4
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9:01
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9
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48
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3:59
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Steelers
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Amos Zereoue 8-yard touchdown run, Jeff Reed kick good
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7
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34
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| 4
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4:22
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3
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2
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1:02
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Ravens
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Travis Taylor 5-yard touchdown reception from Kyle Boller, 2-point pass good
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15
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34
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| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.
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15
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34
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| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Steelers |
17 |
3 | 0 | 0 |
20 |
| • Chiefs |
7 |
20 | 7 | 7 |
41 |
|
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Steelers |
0 |
7 | 7 | 3 |
17 |
| Bengals |
0 |
0 | 3 | 7 |
10 |
|
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Titans |
0 |
16 | 7 | 7 |
30 |
| Steelers |
3 |
10 | 0 | 0 |
13 |
- Date: September 28
- Location: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Game start: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 63,244
- Game weather: 55 °F (13 °C) (Cloudy)
- Referee: Walt Anderson
- TV announcers (CBS): Gus Johnson and Brent Jones
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Browns |
10 |
13 | 7 | 3 |
33 |
| Steelers |
0 |
10 | 3 | 0 |
13 |
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This was Pittsbrugh's last loss at home against Cleveland until 2020.
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Steelers |
3 |
3 | 0 | 8 |
14 |
| • Broncos |
0 |
7 | 0 | 10 |
17 |
|
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Rams |
7 |
10 | 10 | 6 |
33 |
| Steelers |
7 |
7 | 7 | 0 |
21 |
- Date: October 26
- Location: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Game start: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 62,665
- Game weather: 59 °F (15 °C) (Light Rain)
- Referee: Johnny Grier
- TV announcers (Fox): Sam Rosen & Bill Maas
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This was the 1,000th game in Steelers history.
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Steelers |
0 |
3 | 3 | 10 |
16 |
| • Seahawks |
3 |
3 | 3 | 14 |
23 |
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals |
0 |
3 | 6 | 6 |
15 |
| • Steelers |
0 |
7 | 21 | 0 |
28 |
- Date: November 9
- Location: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Game start: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 59,520
- Game weather: 41 °F (5 °C) (Sunny)
- Referee: Jeff Triplette
- TV announcers (Fox): Ron Pitts & Tim Ryan, and Alby Oxenreiter
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Steelers |
0 |
0 | 7 | 7 |
14 |
| • 49ers |
7 |
3 | 14 | 6 |
30 |
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Steelers |
0 |
10 | 0 | 3 |
13 |
| Browns |
3 |
3 | 0 | 0 |
6 |
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The Steelers were the only team in the 2003 season to play on the road following a Monday night road game. The NFL at that time had typically given teams that traveled for a Monday night game either a home game or their bye week the following week. Steelers head coach Bill Cowher objected to the team playing a road game after a Monday night road game. Team president Dan Rooney said that he would not pursue the matter with the NFL, noting that the second game was in Cleveland, only 112 miles (180 km) from Pittsburgh.[7]
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Bengals |
7 |
7 | 0 | 10 |
24 |
| Steelers |
0 |
3 | 7 | 10 |
20 |
- Date: November 30
- Location: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Game start: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 58,797
- Game weather: 46 °F (8 °C) (Sunny)
- Referee: Bernie Kukar
- TV announcers (CBS): Don Criqui & Steve Tasker
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Raiders |
7 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
7 |
| • Steelers |
0 |
17 | 7 | 3 |
27 |
- Date: December 7
- Location: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Game start: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 53,079
- Game weather: 30 °F (−1 °C) (Partly Cloudy)
- Referee: Johnny Grier
- TV announcers (CBS): Gus Johnson & Brent Jones
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Steelers |
0 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
0 |
| • Jets |
3 |
3 | 0 | 0 |
6 |
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chargers |
0 |
10 | 7 | 7 |
24 |
| • Steelers |
14 |
7 | 7 | 12 |
40 |
- Date: December 21
- Location: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Game start: 4:05 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 52,527
- Game weather: 37 °F (3 °C) (Sunny)
- Referee: Bill Carollo
- TV announcers (CBS): Don Criqui & Steve Tasker
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
| Steelers |
0 |
0 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
10 |
| • Ravens |
7 |
0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
13 |
- Date: December 28
- Location: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland
- Game start: 8:30 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 70,001
- Referee: Walt Anderson
- TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Patrick, Joe Theismann, Paul Maguire & Suzy Kolber
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