Ex-NFL QB: Steelers Should Be Banished if They Fire Mike Tomlin
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has received a lot of flak for not winning a playoff game in seven years, and with the team currently on a four-game losing streak, the playoff drought very well could be extended to eight years by late Saturday night after the Wild Card Round game against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Steelers’ seven-year playoff drought is the longest for the franchise since pre-1972. They only have three players on the current roster who’ve experienced a playoff win with the Steelers — Cam Heyward, Chris Boswell and Tyler Matakevich.
The Steelers have lost five straight playoff games, dating back to the 2016 AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots. They’ve allowed 202 points in those five losses, an average of 40.1 points per game.
While the fanbase frustrated over the Steelers lack of playoff success and dreaded streak of being stuck in mediocrity, many think it’s time to move on from Tomlin.
Former NFL quarterback Chase Daniel thinks that would be a massive mistake, however. He believes Steelers fans don’t realize how good they have it with Tomlin.
“If the Steelers fire him, they should be banished from the NFL,” Daniel said on FS1’s The Facility. “I’m gonna use the Saints as an example with Sean Payton. I was with him for five years. Sean Payton was the best thing to ever happen to that Saints organization. Brought them their Super Bowl, and got really close like three or four other times where we lost crazy in the playoffs. What has that Saints franchise been since he’s left now?”
Daniel makes a valid point. There are a lot of poorly run franchises out there who would love a head coach like Tomlin. Teams like the Carolina Panthers, New York Jets, New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders have failed to find a stable head coach in recent years after multiple attempts.
Of course, Steelers fans don’t want to hear about Tomlin’s 18-year streak of no losing seasons. For most, it’s irrelevant. They want results in the playoffs. That’s the standard.
“Doesn’t it feel like – since Big Ben went out of his prime, 8, 10 years ago – they don’t beat good teams. When is the last Steeler playoff win over a star quarterback? Colin Cowherd recently asked former NFL scout John Middlekauf.
Middlekauf responded: “To me the fix is simple. Mike Tomlin, it’s time. He’d be awesome on TV. All these openings would die to have Mike Tomlin. Why not go to the Bears? Trade him to the Bears.”
It’s highly unlikely that Art Rooney II would do so, but as Daniel noted, moving on from Tomlin could be a regrettable decision. Steelers fans should be careful what they wish for.
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