Change is Coming for the Steelers, but Where?

The only constant in life is change.

Whether it be for better or worse, change happens through the lives of people, business and yes, your favorite football team. An organization such as the Pittsburgh Steelers has stood the test of time in regards to change, using (essentially) the same uniforms for nearly fifty seasons. Head coaches are even more rare for the black and gold, as only three men have filled the position since 1969.

Yet following a disappointing 2018 campaign where the Steelers missed the playoffs for just the second time in nine seasons, Pittsburgh may very well need to make changes to ensure a Lombardi trophy finds itself in Pittsburgh sooner rather than later. With an immensely talented team trying to capitalize on Super Bowl window that closes by the minute, changes are indeed expected to happen.

The only question remains, where?

Arguments for nearly everywhere can, and will, likely be heard. In some cases, changes may not be voluntary by the organization. Whose to say Ben Roethlisberger doesn’t finally make good on his bluff and hangs his cleats up in the off-season, even after confirming that he’ll be back in his post-game press conference?

Other change will be done on the basis of necessity, however even those changes will be debated. In Mike Vukovcan’s most recent article, he highlighted some notable names that may be shown the door in the coming months including the likes of Artie Burns, Marcus Gilbert and Bud Dupree. Do the Steelers have the depth do cut said players? Will cutting them be worth the dead cap space they will carry in 2019?

Questions will be answered not only for personnel, but within the coaching ranks as well. Pittsburgh finished with a top-ten defense statistically speaking, however you will find Defensive Coordinator Keith Butler at the helm of nearly every fan’s mind in terms of kicking people to the curb.

Head Coach Mike Tomlin is no exception, and perhaps is the most controversial of decisions that will need to be evaluated. Within the fan-base, it’s seems like there’s a 50-50 split when it comes to Tomlin’s status for 2019. Even General Manager Kevin Colbert’s name has been tossed in the hat of the ever-growing list of potential people Steelers fans want out.

The Steelers are in unfamiliar territory not playing January football, and for a city that prides itself in breeding championships, that’s simply unacceptable. Something will have to be done by the organization this offseason to right the ship.

However, where that change will exactly happen remains just about as unknown as the Steelers play from week to week.