NFL
By: Rick O’Donnell
The Pittsburgh Steelers faced another early exit from the playoffs this season at the hands of their division rivals, the Baltimore Ravens. While it is a shot in the gut, it might not be the worst of what’s ahead. Much like they did when the team was struggling in the regular season, after this loss some Steelers fans are calling for the firing of HC Mike Tomlin. While he may have never posted a losing record, fans believe the standard is higher and the team needs to make a deep playoff run to be considered a success. If anyone in the organization feels the same way, they better make the call quickly, or it will get really ugly, real fast.
In no way, shape, or form could anyone make a pitch for Tomlin to be fired if it were based on the regular season alone. However, even the Philadelphia Eagles moved on from Andy Reid when he couldn’t get them to the top of the mountain. He’d go on to get multiple rings in Kansas City and the Eagles would get their championship under a different coach. The New England Patriots moved on from Bill Belichick after multiple Super Bowl victories. There is a precedent for moving on from good coaches set by teams with high standards.
For the Steelers, however, they can’t afford to wait. They’ve got a growing problem on their hands and if Tomlin is on the way out, they need someone in there fast. First and foremost, the hiring cycle is moving on as we speak. The Cowboys are in play for a big name to replace McCarthy. The Jets have the star power they don’t want to waste. The Las Vegas Raiders are looking for a championship pedigree with their new partial owner Tom Brady. There are a lot of teams looking to make a big splash this offseason and a lot more looking to turn their team around completely. This might be one of the more aggressive years when it comes to a head coach search and if Pittsburgh wants to be in, they better hurry.
Even still, that’s not their biggest concern. Free agency is going to be ugly for the Steelers and they have their work cut out for them. All three of their quarterbacks are up for free agency and the only one left, Skylar Thompson, was picked up recently. Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren led the way for their run game and both of them hit free agency as well. Their lead wide receiver, Kenny Pickens, had a respectable season as far as yards are concerned but only had 3 touchdowns and that’s the problem with the Steelers, not just Pickens.
Their offense was statistically average. The big plays are there, but the consistency isn’t and that’s the problem with Tomlin’s tenure. Whether he puts it on himself or the coordinators he hires, the Steelers always fall apart at the end of the season. If Tomlin is the problem, they’re waiting far too long to start this rebuild. If Arthur Smith as OC is the problem, then waiting too long to find his replacement. Free agency isn’t as far away as the Pittsburgh Steelers think it is and waiting will leave them high and dry. Too many free agents hit the market with plenty of teams with cap space to move. If the Steelers don’t have a plan, this whole offseason could pass them by and force their hand with Tomlin. If he gets the same results next season, it might be too late to have moved on.
