Mike Tomlin is one of the most consistent coaches in NFL history. He will one day be enshrined in the Hall of Fame.
However, the past has nothing to do with the present and Pittsburgh’s present is a very ugly place to be right now.
Don’t get me wrong. It’s not like the Steelers are a dumpster fire. Remarkably, they stand at 7-7 and if not for the significant injuries they’ve suffered throughout the season, they could very well be a playoff team (they still can by the way).
Regardless, it’s clear that something is broken in the Steel City as Pittsburgh’s trademark toughness, consistency and discipline is nowhere to be found this year.
Legendary quarterback Ben Roethlisberger suggested last week that the old Steelers way may indeed be a thing of the past…
Big Ben on if the Steelers are losing the Steeler way:
“You need someone to stand up in that room on offense and be like hey this isn’t what it means to wear the black and gold.”#steelers
🎥YT/Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger pic.twitter.com/lh2iws5pWK
— Matthew Luciow (@matthewluciow92) December 11, 2023
Peter King of NBC Sports revealed that Tomlin’s job may be in jepordy depending on how the Steelers finish the season.
In his Football Morning In America column, King stated, “The seat’s toasty for Mike Tomlin.”
Football Morning in America is up! 📚✏️
In my column this week:📜 The ancient play calls of Andy Reid
⏪ Backup QBs keeping Ohio teams in the race
🦓 Offensive offsides becoming offensive
😵💫 Revolving doors around Justin Herberthttps://t.co/Wwka4U8vPA— Peter King (@peter_king) December 18, 2023
For a franchise that hires a new head coach once every 75 years, that’s certainly a nugget of interest.
Having said that, Dianna Russini of The Athletic previously reported that it’s hard to envision the former Super Bowl champion Tomlin being let go no matter how out of hand this season gets.
“It’s hard to find anyone in the Steelers’ organization who strongly believes 51-year-old Mike Tomlin will get fired,” Russini reported earlier this month.
“Though the head coach who has never had a losing season has been losing lately, and to losing teams in front of their home crowd, it’s always explained to me by people who know the operation: Caution and patience,” she added.
Mike Tomlin, a coach who has never had a losing season, has been losing more than expected recently.
His contract expires at the end of 2024, writes @DMRussini. But the Steelers' coach isn't feeling the heat.
🔗 https://t.co/r4Kq6YOG6D pic.twitter.com/vDXSJzWjEX
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) December 9, 2023
The Steelers, known for their historical stability in coaching staff, have only had three head coaches since 1969 – Chuck Knoll, Bill Cowher, and Tomlin. This long-standing patience may work in Tomlin’s favor as the team evaluates the direction of the franchise.
Amidst the speculation about Tomlin’s future, the coach has made a significant decision, announcing that quarterback Mike Trubisky will be benched in favor of Mason Rudolph.
Rudolph is set to start in the upcoming game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday.
What is your take on the job Tomlin is doing this season?
Are you surprised that he’s allowed the diva-tandem of Diontae Johnson and George Pickens to pull the selfish garbage they have all season long without being punished for it?
Should the Steelers actually consider moving on from Tomlin???