Head coach Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers have had a terrific run, however it could be time for a divorce.
Since successful their final playoff recreation in the course of the 2016 season, the Steelers have been mired in mediocrity. The six-time Tremendous Bowl champions have not gained 12 video games or extra because the 2020 season. This season, Pittsburgh (6-6) is susceptible to lacking the playoffs.
Steelers followers have grown bored with the underwhelming outcomes. In a 26-7 residence loss to the Buffalo Payments in Week 13, they began chanting “Fire Tomlin” within the fourth quarter. Change is required in Pittsburgh, however the crew ought to contemplate another choice: buying and selling the HC.
Why Steelers ought to commerce Mike Tomlin
In his Tuesday mailbag, Joe Starkey of the Pittsburgh Put up-Gazette instructed that the Steelers commerce the Tremendous Bowl XLIII champion.
“They will [trade Tomlin], though Tomlin’s contract unbelievably features a no-trade clause — as [ESPN’s] Adam Schefter revealed final season — so that they’d want his permission,” wrote Starkey whereas replying to a reader.
Reports have indicated Tomlin remains to be glad in Pittsburgh. Nevertheless, Tampa Bay Buccaneers marketing consultant Bruce Arians, Steelers offensive coordinator from 2007-11, has mentioned he would “start over” if he had been the HC.
Tomlin ought to notice a commerce could assist him rejuvenate his profession. He must also keep in mind it labored out for Jon Gruden, his boss when he was a defensive backs coach for the Buccaneers from 2001-05.
In February 2002, the Las Vegas Raiders (then primarily based in Oakland) dealt Gruden to the Buccaneers for 4 draft picks (together with two first-rounders) and $8M. That season, Tampa Bay gained its first Tremendous Bowl.
Extra lately, HC Sean Payton has thrived because the Denver Broncos acquired him from the New Orleans Saints in January 2023. In his second season in Denver, the crew snapped an eight-year playoff drought. This season, the 10-2 Broncos are in Tremendous Bowl rivalry.
Pittsburgh may fetch wanted draft capital in a deal that included Tomlin. If the season ended Tuesday, the Tennessee Titans (1-11) would have the No. 1 choose, whereas the New York Giants (2-11) would personal the No. 2 choice (via Tankathon). Each groups have roster holes, however they could commerce their first-round choices for a coach of Tomlin’s caliber.
The coach — who has spent his complete 19-year head-coaching profession in Pittsburgh — has by no means had a shedding season. Absolutely, he may construct one other successful tradition in Tennessee or New York.
The Steelers, in the meantime, may use the Titans’ or Giants’ choose to pick out a successor for 42-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers, maybe Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza or Alabama’s Ty Simpson. The Indiana star leads the FBS in landing passes (32), and the Alabama standout is tied for 14th (25).
A commerce makes loads of sense for each events. Tomlin may use a change of surroundings, and it is time for the Steelers to enter a full-blown rebuild. That will be simpler in the event that they despatched the HC elsewhere.
