Where Do the Pittsburgh Steelers Go From Here?
Following their sixth straight playoff loss, the Pittsburgh Steelers enter an NFL Offseason with far more questions than they have answers. The Steelers lost 28-14 to the Baltimore Ravens on the road in the AFC Wild Card Playoffs for their sixth straight playoff loss. Pittsburgh lost the game in the first half after a miserable showing. They trailed 21-0 at the half and color commentator Kirk Herbstreit questioned Pittsburgh’s fight and if they even wanted to be out there last night.
The Pittsburgh Steelers did nothing well in the first half last night, and the main issue was their defense. They surrendered 300+ yards in the first half and were manhandled by Baltimore’s offensive line. The Ravens had a 13-play 85-yard drive where each play was a run at one point in the first half. Baltimore finished the game with 299 rushing yards while Pittsburgh finished with a measly 29. After such a disappointing playoff game, and end to the regular season, will the Pittsburgh Steelers be able to get back on track?
Pittsburgh Steelers Face a Question At Head Coach
Pittsburgh’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens capped off a miserable five-game losing streak where they struggled on offense and defense. The biggest question facing the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason is what to do at the head coach position. Mike Tomlin has been at the helm in Pittsburgh for 18 years, but the last decade has not gone well. Pittsburgh has not won a playoff game in eight years and they have looked lifeless in the postseason.
Tomlin is one of the best coaches in the National Football League, but his playoff performances cannot be tolerated. The Pittsburgh Steelers are in the worst spot any team can be. Completely mediocre. They are too good to have a high pick in the NFL Draft but are nowhere near good enough to be a true contender in the AFC.
Pittsburgh values stability at the coaching position more than any other NFL franchise with three coaches since 1969. There has been some talk of the team either moving on from Tomlin, or trading him, and that talk will grow louder as the offseason marches on.
Steelers Have a Quarterback ConundrumÂ
Once the Pittsburgh Steelers decide what to do at the head coach position, they have to decide if Quarterback Russell Wilson is their long-term answer. He struggled at the end of the regular season and had a miserable first half. Even though he rallied in the second half, he should not be under center for the team next season.Â
Other options for the team at the position are Aaron Rodgers, Justin Fields, and Kirk Cousins. Rodgers had a strong finish to the regular season, and he and the New York Jets look headed for a divorce. The Atlanta Falcons are also set to cut Cousins before his $10 million roster bonus vests on March 17. Fields showed some success as Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback before Tomlin turned the keys over to Wilson. There was some thought the team would use both Fields and Wilson, but that plan never came to fruition.
Final ThoughtsÂ
I do not see any universe where the Pittsburgh Steelers move on from Tomlin this offseason even though they should. The Steelers, once a perennial Super Bowl contender, have accepted mediocrity. Tomlin is clearly one of the best coaches in the league, but his tenure with the team has seemingly run its course.
Pittsburgh will turn to another veteran quarterback as they look to compete in the AFC. The quote, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results” is especially true when it comes to how the Pittsburgh Steelers have been run over the past decade. Another disappointing playoff loss will not lead to sizable changes, but for the Steelers to get back on a winning track, something must change.
