It appears like simply yesterday that Mike Tomlin led the Pittsburgh Steelers to victory in Tremendous Bowl XLIII. Nevertheless, that was virtually 20 years in the past now, and the Steelers are a really completely different staff. Tomlin stays, however the Steelers haven’t gotten near a Tremendous Bowl in years. Regardless of that, Tomlin’s job isn’t in peril, with Artwork Rooney II expressing confidence in him. Whereas not everyone seems to be glad with the job that Tomlin’s achieved, he nonetheless has a variety of assist. That features analyst Charles McDonald, who nonetheless thinks Tomlin is the fifth-best head coach within the NFL.
“I perceive why individuals are pissed off, however he’s by no means had a shedding season,” McDonald mentioned Wednesday on Yahoo Sports activities’ Soccer 301 podcast. “It’s been virtually 20 years. Even in case you’re not nice, even having an opportunity to win 10 video games yearly is one thing that no different NFL coach can say that they’ve achieved. So, I’ve bought to place them at 5.”
Tomlin’s consistency is sort of unparalleled. He’s gone 18 seasons because the Steelers’ head coach with out a shedding season. Whereas they haven’t all the time made the postseason, he’s saved Pittsburgh within the playoff image for nearly 20 years. It’s exhausting to argue towards that type of success.
Nevertheless, Tomlin’s lack of postseason success shouldn’t be ignored. It’s not simply that the Steelers haven’t gained a playoff recreation in virtually 10 years. It’s that they’ve gotten crushed in most of their latest playoff appearances. They’ve misplaced by double-digits in every of their final 4 playoff video games. For a franchise as profitable because the Steelers, that ought to be embarrassing.
McDonald expanded on that dichotomy throughout that very same podcast.
“It’s exhausting to sit down right here and watch them pitter-patter to 10-7 yearly. We’re like, ‘That is our ground. Yearly, our ground goes to be attending to the wild card spherical and getting knocked out.’ That sucks after some time, to know yearly once you get to January you don’t even have an actual probability to win the Tremendous Bowl.
“However let me inform you, as somebody who’s on the opposite aspect of that, that hasn’t seen their staff play in a playoff recreation in eight years, it may get lots worse.”
Sure, issues may very well be worse for the Steelers. Like McDonald says, a number of groups haven’t even sniffed the postseason in years. Take a look at the New York Jets, who haven’t made the playoffs in 15 years. That type of drought would drive Steelers followers nuts.
Nevertheless, the Steelers haven’t gotten this far by holding themselves to a different staff’s customary. For them, championships are what matter. Their aim each season isn’t simply to make the playoffs. They need to win the Tremendous Bowl yearly, even when that aim appears distant.
That’s why some followers are pissed off with Tomlin. He’s an excellent coach, however these days, his Steelers have felt caught. Maybe a change may get them out of this rut.
One thing related occurred with Andy Reid and the Philadelphia Eagles. Whereas he was nice as their head coach, it felt like they plateaued beneath him. Due to this fact, the Eagles minimize ties with Reid, with each events ending up higher off on the opposite aspect. Reid constructed a dynasty with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, and the Eagles have gained two Tremendous Bowls.
Perhaps Tomlin and the Steelers may comply with an identical path. Nevertheless, it doesn’t seem to be Tomlin’s time in Pittsburgh is coming to an finish. Except they undergo a serious collapse, Tomlin in all probability isn’t going anyplace.
