“I would imagine there’s going to be some things that change around here on a lot of levels” – Mike Tomlin
Following the Steelers‘ 28-14 loss to the rival Ravens in the Wildcard Round of the playoffs, Mike Tomlin held his annual end-of-season press conference and spoke loud and clear that change was coming. The fact that Tomlin himself expressed change should have been a clear indicator of what was (or wasn’t) to come.
Head Coach
This was the fourth time in the last five years that the end-of-season press conference was held during the week following the Wildcard Round. It was also the fourth time in five years that they lost in the first round of the playoffs and the fourth time in five years that they allowed four or more touchdowns in those playoff games. Could it be time for a change?
The Steelers and the Rooney family have historically been an extremely patient organization, primarily at the Head Coach position, having only employed three over the last 55 years. Hall of Fame coaches Chuck Noll and Bill Cowher survived 3+ year playoff droughts, but Mike Tomlin has endured a drought even they didn’t, an 8-year streak without a playoff victory.
Many fans and media called for a head coaching change, but it was abundantly clear that no change was coming. Tomlin addressed potential trade rumors at his end-of-season press conference…
No change here.
Coordinators
As I mentioned before, in the last four playoff games, the defense has allowed four or more touchdowns. As if that isn’t bad enough, Teryl Austin‘s defense allowed 299 yards on the ground against the Ravens – the most in team history. It is widely understood that the defense belongs to Tomlin, minus play-calling duties on Sundays.
With communication issues so bad that the players all but spoke the problem’s name, a former all-pro safety who has completely disappeared, and an all-time pass rusher who is repeatedly set up to fail, one would believe perhaps some changes would be made. No change yet.
New Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith experienced some highs and lows – as most offensive coordinators do. In 2024, it wouldn’t take much to satisfy the Steelers faithful, considering what they experienced offensively in the years prior.
In the first 13 games, the offense averaged 24.8 points per game, which was serviceable considering the defense only allowed 18.3 in that span. The wheels came off for the final five games where the offense only scored 14.2 PPG against the 27.4 allowed by the defense. Needless to say, the Steelers were 0-5 in those games, including the playoff loss.
Arthur Smith interviewed for the Bears and Jets Head Coach jobs but landed neither, which came as no surprise in Pittsburgh. For all of Mike Tomlin’s non-losing seasons, he has never had a coordinator or assistant coach of any kind be hired away to be a Head Coach in 18 years. His predecessor, Bill Cowher, had 5 coordinators (Dom Capers, Chan Gailey, Mike Mularkey, Jim Haslett, and Ken Whisenhunt) hired from directly under him into Head Coach jobs. Not a ringing endorsement league-wide that Tomlin hires the best help.
Both coordinators remain in place and as the coaching cycle winds down, any noteworthy replacements become more unavailable by the minute. Still no change.
Offensive Line
Offensive line coach Pat Meyer has been a name of interest. The offensive line seemed to regress throughout the season, despite multiple high draft picks and veteran free agents to work with. 2023 14th overall pick Broderick Jones has been his biggest failure. He finished 89th of 141 offensive tackles graded by PFF and had two games where he was responsible for three penalties.
With a collection of promising young talent along the offensive line, including first- and second-year players like Troy Fautanu, Zach Frazier, and Mason McCormick, a fresh voice coaching the offensive line could be beneficial, but no changes have been made.
Players
The Steelers have a bevy of free agents which could result in more roster turnover than usual. Notable significant contributors who may not don the black and gold again are LT Dan Moore, RBs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, CB Donte Jackson, and of course the QBs, Justin Fields and Russell Wilson.
There is sure to be some roster turnover, but for yet another year, the question remains: Who will be the starting QB? Art Rooney II addressed the QB room at his end-of-season press conference but didn’t exactly commit to any change.
Once the final whistle blows on the season, you cannot believe a single word spoken regarding quarterbacks from teams in search of one until the dust settles after the NFL Draft. However, nobody is worse at keeping draft secrets than the Pittsburgh Steelers. Once again, they are searching for a franchise quarterback, but they are at the disadvantage of doing so in a weak draft class, similar to 2022.
Team Owner and President Art Rooney II went on about Wilson and Fields stating “They have options, and so do we.” That could be the beginning of a smokescreen or just the blind rambling of a man without a plan.
Change..?
Our insatiable appetite for change is warranted, especially when it comes to Mike Tomlin. For almost two decades, the mantra “The standard is the standard” has been forced upon us. Ironically, the standard has only remained the standard for the fans, who don’t need reminding. The Steelers establishment needs to be reminded of its standard.
Super Bowl trophies.
Art Rooney II praised Tomlin for being a “good coach” saying “When you look at how many games Mike has won in this league, you don’t win that many games if you’re not a good coach,”.
We’re not looking for a good coach. Good coaches aren’t perennial Super Bowl contenders, great coaches are. Tomlin can be a great coach, but not while he’s allowed to beat his same old football ideologies into the ground, year after year, hoping for different results. He’s a master motivator and has an unmatched love of the game, but he needs help. He needs fresh schemes, messages, and standards throughout the building and organization. He needs to change.
The only one that can make it happen is Art Rooney II who has let what was always right with the Steelers become what is wrong with the Steelers – the lack of change.