Tomlin Left in the Dust! Lions Coach Makes Steelers Veteran Look like a Fool
There have certainly been better times for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ organization. Even after making the postseason for the third time in four years, all hope seems lost in the Steel City. Each season that has passed since the team’s last playoff win during the 2016 campaign has led to more criticism for Head Coach Mike Tomlin. He still has a way of hypnotizing the national media, but the fan base has become frustrated with the complacency that has gone on. Overall, Tomlin needs to find a way to adapt to the current times after nearly two decades with the franchise.
There are a lot of things that pundits could point out in a positive light regarding Tomlin, but one of the most glaring weaknesses has been his inability to develop a coaching tree. Not a single individual hired directly by Tomlin has gone on to be a head coach elsewhere. That will probably change in the coming years with Arthur Smith and Brian Flores getting some looks, but that duo already has head coaching experience elsewhere.
It’s possible that Tomlin simply doesn’t allow coaches to grow into their own while on his staff. It’s completely worrisome that it is constantly reported how much of a say Tomlin has in game-planning, on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. One could assume that his ego gets in the way, and he is way to focused on micro-managing everyone on his staff.
This is why someone within the organization, preferably Art Rooney II, needs to sit down with Tomlin and have a serious conversation about the direction of the team. There is unequivocal evidence going on with the Detroit Lions that proves a master motivator can take a step back from any kind of play-calling and control if it means more wins and successes overall.
Back in 2021, the Lions’ offense was downright terrible in Dan Campbell’s first season. He stripped duties from Anthony Lynn, and promoted then-tight ends coach Ben Johnson to be the passing game coordinator while Campbell took over the play-calling. After that year, Johnson was promoted and given almost full say in the offense, which is saying a lot because Campbell swallowed his pride after the 2021 campaign to give the reins to Johnson.
While Detroit went 3-13-1 in 2021, Aaron Glenn survived any coaching changes and returned for 2022. Fast forward to the 2024 campaign, and the Lions are set to participate in their second-straight Divisional Round game, while both Johnson and Glenn are expected to be gone in 2025, and beginning their own head-coaching careers. Campbell has shown that he knows that he needs brilliant minds around him to help. It’s about time Tomlin do the same.
Campbell certainly has a say in game-planning, but when it comes down to the most important moments, he trusts both Johnson and Glenn to get the job done. This is something that the Steelers can’t say has happened under Tomlin’s leadership. It’s the most concerning part of his approach, and as Gerry Dulac put it in his fan chat on Wednesday, the defense is Tomlin’s, and not Teryl Austin’s.
Tomlin was adamant during his end-of-season press conference about his willingness to adapt. Now is the time more than ever. Campbell’s approach and trust in his coaching staff isn’t directly indicative of Tomlin failing miserably, but when one puts the two up against one another, Tomlin looks like a fool, especially because he seems to want any and all control in every critical moment. The offense still played scared in 2024, and the defense was horrible down the stretch.
Steelers Should Have Some Coaching Changes Coming
There could be some changes coming to the Steel City, but the expectation is that Tomlin and Smith will be back, unless the team’s offensive coordinator leaves for a head-coaching gig. The defense could see a ton of turnover on the staff, but fans shouldn’t expect many things to change from a schematics standpoint unless Tomlin gives up a ton of power, just as Campbell has done in Detroit. Tomlin is getting shown up by an NFC head coach without even knowing it.