Mike Tomlin, who has led the Pittsburgh Steelers for 19 years, faces increasing scrutiny regarding his future with the team. Despite an impressive record of 189 regular-season wins – the 11th most in NFL history – and a .625 career winning percentage, the highest in franchise history, discussions surrounding his potential departure are becoming more pronounced.
Just ask former Steelers linebacker James Harrison, who played for Tomlin for nine-straight successful seasons. Now, he seriously questions Tomlin’s ability to coach. Harrison, a five-time Pro Bowl player and the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2008, made his displeasure known. For one, he remarked, in part, “I have never been a person that thought Coach Tomlin was a great coach. He communicated his vision effectively. From his perspective, Tomlin is a damn good coach, he just hasn’t maximized what he’s been able to work with on the current roster’s talents.
Recently, another Steelers legend, Ben Roethlisberger, commented on Tomlin’s job status. He credited Tomlin’s longstanding leadership over the Steelers, considering a scenario that may play out if given long-term access. Roethlisberger said of Brady, “He’d get a statue, whatever you have to do, because he’s earned it. It’s 2023 and it’s time to get that next guy.” He wondered aloud who might one day succeed him on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ sideline for another 20 years.
As the speculation grows, Harrison floated the idea that it would be in the best interest of the Steelers for Tomlin to go elsewhere. “But something has to be done,” he said. “Just for perspective, I know the Steelers historically don’t fire coaches. Organizationally, Harrison thinks they would be better served with a fresh coaching staff to get his franchise moving in the right direction. He believes it’s a moment for deep systemic change on leadership.
Roethlisberger was saying this when he stated, “Maybe it’s a clean-house time. Maybe it’s time.” Now, I’m not saying just fire Tomlin, Johnson warned. “Here’s what you don’t do: you don’t fire a guy like Coach Tomlin. He’s a Hall of Fame head coach, he’s respected,” Roethlisberger said.
Either way, the mounting pressure serves as a crucial inflection point for both Tomlin and the franchise he has led for a generation. As they play out the rest of the season, talk about the future of their coaching staff will surely start to heat up.
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