We all knew this time was coming, we just chose to ignore it until we had to finally accept it. Yes, I am talking about the retirements of Ben Roethlisberger, Defensive Coordinator Keith Butler, and General Manager Kevin Colbert. Obviously, the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to be conducting their thorough processes of filling those voids, but it is going to be Head Coach Mike Tomlin who is going to be in for a tough time in 2022. I understand that is a fairly generic and subjective statement, so let me get into the reasoning as to why this is going to be the case.
Here are 4 reasons why 2022 is going to be Tomlin’s toughest season of his entire NFL career.
Coaching Staff Musical Chairs
Another season, another rotation at assistant coaching roles within the Steelers’ organization. This is odd to say for an organization who prides itself in little turnover at coaching positions and is one of the most “secure” (I use that term lightly for any NFL gig) career homes in the league. But as we look towards next season, Tomlin will have to coax a more tenured offensive line coach, find a new defensive coordinator who shares his similar defensive acumen, and if they choose to hire from within, find replacements for those other assistant coaching vacancies. Tomlin has never been through such a coaching whirlwind during his time in Pittsburgh since maybe last year, where he still had Butler helping him on defense. In 2022, Tomlin will be surrounded by a new staff with a relatively new and unproven offensive coordinator in Matt Canada. For reference, in Tomlin’s 15 seasons with the Steelers, he’s only had 3 offensive coordinators and 2 defensive coordinators; not to mention help at offensive line coach. Ever since the departure of Mike Munchak in 2018, the Steelers haven’t been able to maintain a strong offensive line unit and it has showed in the overall offensive production. I consider the offensive line coach one of the most underrated coaching positions for the Steelers; a clear make-or-break for the offense.
2022 is going to be the first “real” season where the entire coaching staff is a direct reflection of Tomlin’s impact. Whether or not that is a good thing or bad thing will be decided at this point in 2023. Needless to say, building a new staff without input from longer-tenured coaches is not going to be easy for Tomlin and seeing his offensive coaching acquisitions, this is may be frustrating to watch.
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New General Manager Partner
Some may or may not know this, but the Steelers haven’t had a ‘true’ General Manager since 1970 when Dan Rooney assumed that role for a brief stint. Since then, they’ve created their own hybrid role of “General Manager/Director/VP of Football Operations” until Colbert’s title change in 2010. With that said, Colbert was the only GM Tomlin has worked with in Pittsburgh. Of course we all know of the ‘family approach’ the Steelers take towards business within the organization, but it has primarily been the ‘Colbert and Tomlin Show’ since 2007. With Colbert waiting until after the draft to step down, Tomlin will have his final draft with him going into 2022. However, where Tomlin is going to miss him will be with trades and free agency. Please remember I am writing this before a replacement GM is announced, but although Tomlin has gotten better (I say that with a grain of salt) in his draft strategy, he hasn’t been able to show consistency in free agency signings. Whoever the Rooney’s bring in to take over Colbert’s duties is going to have to finesse the free agency and trade markets for Tomlin. Just think back to the time last year after the draft, but before opening day kickoff; there were multiple additions and drops, all of which played into the depth chart throughout the season and Tomlin has trouble making those decisions alone.
New Quarterback
Bill Belichick had Tom Brady. Tom Landry had Roger Staubach. Vince Lombardi had Bart Starr. Chuck Noll had Terry Bradshaw. Tomlin had Roethlisberger. There is no doubt a strong head coach and quarterback relationship is critical in winning in the NFL. Tomlin was blessed to have Roethlisberger as his QB1 for his entire head coaching career and is going to have to find a new one for 2022. Needless to say, this is easier said than done. Being such a defensive-minded coach, Tomlin doesn’t necessarily have the eye to spot talent at the quarterback position. Just look at who the Steelers drafted since Tomlin has taken over; Dennis Dixon, Landry Jones, Josh Dobbs, and Mason Rudolph. Now I know finding that true ‘franchise quarterback’ is something every team chases each draft and we haven’t seen a quarterback draft class like what we saw in 2004, but this also bleeds into free agency acquisitions. For example, in addition to Dwayne Haskins, Byron Leftwich, Michael Vick, Zach Mettenberger, and Bruce Gradkowski are all examples of free agent quarterbacks Tomlin has signed. Only time will tell if his next quarterback signing will have a better result, but history has shown a consistently weak outlook in this regard. For the sake of Pittsburgh’s collective sanity, 2022 is the year to not bargain hunt for a starting quarterback; time to pay up to avoid a rebuild continuum.
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No More Bill Cowher Influence
Roethlisberger was the final piece of any Cowher influence to walk away from the Steelers and football. One of the largest gripes amongst older Steelers fans is the fact that Tomlin has succeeded and won a Super Bowl on Cowher’s coat tails. While I understand both sides of that argument, 2022 will be the first “real” season where this won’t come into play. Just as in college where coaches have roughly 4 years to build their own team, Tomlin has had the luxury of taking his time in doing this as he was immediately put into a position to win in his earlier years. But as time has drawn on and we’ve seen names like Hines Ward, Troy Polamalu, Casey Hampton, Heath Miller, Max Starks, and Brett Keisel retire, there has been clear transition periods between each name change on the depth chart at various key positions. If Tomlin wants to put this argument to rest, 2022 is going to be the year to do so.
2022 is undoubtedly going to be a difficult year for Tomlin and the Steelers. But with that said, the Rooney’s have shown a major transition (like what we’re about to see) doesn’t need to be a complex one and time is needed to establish a post-Roethlisberger/Colbert era. The Steelers need to be in ‘win now’ mode to get over the playoff hump, as we’ve seen with teams like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Los Angeles Rams. Unfortunately, this goes against the Rooney mentality so I am not optimistic Steeler Nation will see this any time soon. But Tomlin has shown he can still win games with the “next man up”; 2022 is going to put that to the test.
How do you think the Steelers will fair with the new vacancies? Do you think 2022 will be Tomlin’s toughest season? Let us know in the comments!
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