The annual calls for Mike Tomlin’s firing from a select group of Steelers fans simmered over the last few weeks. But after the Steeler’s destruction at the hands of the Chiefs last week, they’ve gotten louder.
That’s just ignorant noise by those who forget Tomlin’s resume and standing among the NFL coaching elite.
His accolades are matched by only a select few, and even then he surpasses his coaching competition.
Yet even that is often overlooked.
In his 15-year tenure as Pittsburgh’s head coach, Tomlin has a record of 152-85-2, a winning percentage of .640. He’s also the NFL’s winningest Black coach, surpassing his mentor Tony Dungy (148).
And he’s never had a losing season, finishing 8-8 three times.
Currently, the team is 7-7-1 with two games remaining. Win one, and that mark continues.
Outside of Bill Belichick and Andy Reid, who have 12 and 8 more years as head coaches, respectively, Tomlin ranks ahead of other current, Super Bowl-winning coaches like Pete Carroll (150-104-1), Sean Payton (150-89) and John Harbaugh (137-86).
And all of those men have 14 years or more of head coaching experience.
After being humiliated by the Chiefs, the Steelers stand in an interesting position.
They can still make the playoffs with two wins and some help, which would please some but frustrate others who would prefer the team tanks to get a high draft pick.
Tanking is something the Steelers don’t do. They never have.
But with two games remaining, they are in a place foreign to the team, organization and fans.
The Steelers have been a model of consistency, particularly under Tomlin.
Yet the days of the Steel Curtain and a grinding rushing attack are gone. They lack an identity, and, for the first time in Tomlin’s tenure, face a true rebuild.
They have some great, young players such as TJ Watt, Najee Harris, Dionte Johnson and Pat Freiermuth. And veterans such as Cam Heyward are playing at a high level, yet they’re aging and injuries have exacted their toll on the team over the last two years.
But the biggest criticisms are aimed at the offensive line and their future Hall of Fame QB, Ben Roethlisberger.
Last year they finished a surprising 12-4 and lost in the first round of the playoffs. With Big Ben coming off major surgery, no one predicted the team to have that type of success.
This year, despite lackluster, sleepy first halves against the Chargers and Vikings, and a disgusting tie against the then-winless Lions, the team is still in the playoff hunt.
To the team’s credit, they haven’t quit despite their shortcomings, and that’s a testament to coach Tomlin.
“This is a critical stage in the season for us,” said Tomlin earlier this week. “This is a critical week. The road is extremely narrow so we are circling the wagons and that is one of the ways I thought was appropriate to do so in an effort to engineer victory this week and give singularly, collectively and professionally focused and from a perception standpoint as well. It provides tremendous clarity for us as we zero in on that last component of our season.”
Tomlin is a master motivator and his message might translate to wins in the team’s final two games.
But regardless of the finish, it’s time to face reality.
The Steelers are in need of a rebuild, and guess what? That’s ok.
Every good team goes through it, even for a year or two.
Look at the Patriots last year after Tom Brady bounced to Tampa Bay.
Look at the Saints after Drew Brees retired.
The problem with Steelers fans, of which I am one, is that they are spoiled by success. Losing isn’t a part of their vocabulary, and neither is rebuilding.
Yet the latter is coming.
The team, particularly GM Kevin Colbert, is at fault for not having a plan for Big Ben’s succession. To their credit, they’re loyal. But in sports, loyalty, unfortunately, doesn’t always work.
Mason Rudolph was never the answer, yet Pittsburgh kept bypassing the chance to select their QB of the future.
I felt they should have selected Jalen Hurts with their second round pick (#49) in 2020. But they drafted Chase Claypool instead and the Eagles picked Hurts four picks later.
Claypool has talent and makes big plays, but his immaturity lingers, as evidenced in the closing moments against the Vikings.
Hurts and the Eagles are in the seventh and final playoff spot and his doubters are slowly becoming believers.
The Steelers currently sit in the 15th spot in the 2022 NFL Draft, and their needs at quarterback, both lines and linebacker are glaring.
Pitt’s Kenny Pickett is the name most associated with the Steelers, but if Pittsburgh wins their final two games, he will probably be out of their grasp. That’s not to insinuate that they should tank, it’s just reality.
If they don’t get Pickett, they should focus on building their offensive and defensive lines, the former in particular.
The Steelers are a proud franchise led by a proud man. They have two games left and face the dreaded rebuild.
But relax Steelers fans, it’s simply time to construct the next dynasty. Just enjoy the process.
