The dialog surrounding Mike Tomlin is so complicated. Pittsburgh is a recreation over .500, and with journeys to Seattle and Baltimore remaining, the worst case situation is the coach’s 16-year streak of profitable seasons snaps with an 8-9 report.
The Steelers beat the Bengals handily, 34-11, on Saturday behind an anomaly Mason Rudolph recreation that needed to be triggering for Pittsburgh followers who know the potential of their ability gamers.
It additionally served as extra proof that Kenny Pickett is inarguably trash and has regressed in yr two. If followers wish to do away with Tomlin as a result of he can’t flip hen sh*t right into a franchise QB, go for it. Store the pinnacle coach, overreact to perceived locker room points and see how little juice the subsequent man can wring out of this roster.
Tomlin is 51. He’s handled as many personalities as Phil Jackson, and at all times, at all times retains his home so as. Positive, he’s had a franchise quarterback the vast majority of his tenure, however Ben Roethlisberger was incontinent for the final 4 to 5 seasons of his profession.
Have individuals forgotten that the most efficient years of Antonio Brown’s profession got here underneath Tomlin? Additionally, it’s not like Roethlisberger was drama free. Even in retirement, Big Ben thinks he knows what ails “his” franchise. Hey, jackal, shut up and let the grown-ups speak. Go begin a Miami of Ohio podcast.
George Pickens is performing like another younger, underutilized vast receiver. Najee Harris is doing all he can on offense that’s handcuffed to the radiator. Be grateful their frustrations haven’t included giving Pickett a swirly.
If anybody is responsible for this present predicament, it’s now-retired Pittsburgh GM Kevin Colbert. Drafting a hometown QB, who locals knew deep down wasn’t the man earlier than he was chosen, put the teaching employees in an not possible place.
Anytime Pickett has a serviceable outing, or completes a cross over 20 yards, Steelers’ followers get a pang of their stomachs like a mother or father watching their child get a base hit. Significantly, Pickett’s declare to fame at Pitt was Jordan Addison and a pretend slide that’s now unlawful.
It’s not possible to be goal when your coronary heart is concerned. Why do you assume Ryan Clark is saying all this wild stuff about his former and avowed favourite coach?
Rudolph threw two touchdowns towards the Bengals, or a 3rd of the TDs Pickett has thrown all season. Along with that, Pickens had his most efficient recreation of 2023. If Saturday’s menial output is just not sufficient proof to persuade the powers that draft that Pittsburgh wants one other QB, somebody within the entrance workplace is huffing paint.
This season may’ve careened into the Allegheny months in the past and the one cause pundits aren’t praising Tomlin’s teaching job is as a result of he set the expectations sky excessive. What did anybody assume was going to occur when the choices had been Pickett, Mitch Trubisky or Rudolph the red-nosed QB?
If the Steelers go the best way of the 2023 Patriots subsequent season, then we are able to speak about Tomlin’s future. Till that time, the one concern for the Horrible Towels is how one can let Pickett down simple.