Kaboly: Steelers' Mike Tomlin Enabled A Loser Mentality And Here’s The Proof

The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in the midst of a turbulent December, marked by dramatic losses and controversies. As they prepare to face the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday, the spotlight isn't solely on the game, but also on Head Coach Mike Tomlin, and star wide receiver, George Pickens. Tomlin, on Wednesday, held an unexpected press conference to address the ongoing drama surrounding Pickens, shedding light on the Steelers' current predicament.

The spark for this controversy ignited after the Steelers' 30-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Pickens, the talented yet enigmatic wide receiver, found himself at the center of attention. On a crucial play where running back Jaylen Warren charged towards the end zone, Pickens seemingly made no effort to finish his block and create a path for Warren to score. When questioned about his lack of involvement in the play, Pickens offered a surprising explanation.

"I was just trying to prevent the Tank Dell situation, the same thing that happened to [him]. I didn't want to get an injury. When you stay on the block too long, you can get ran up on very easily."

Pickens referred to a recent incident involving Tank Dell, a rookie receiver for the Houston Texans, who fractured his fibula while blocking in a game. While Pickens' explanation might have seemed reasonable to him, it raised eyebrows among Steelers fans, the media, and inside the locker room.

A Steelers Season Of Drama

This season has witnessed multiple instances of confusion surrounding Pickens' actions and outbursts. Even when the team has achieved victories and put points on the board, it often appears that Pickens is discontent unless he's amassing personal statistics. His passion for the game is evident, but his interactions with the media have frequently gone awry, leading to the unexpected press conference with Tomlin.

Steelers fans had hoped that Tomlin would use this opportunity to demonstrate his traditional no-nonsense approach, one that enforces discipline and accountability. It's a philosophy that seemed to wane during the Antonio Brown era, but fans believed that Tomlin still had a firm grasp on the team's culture.

To the surprise of many, Tomlin chose not to discipline Pickens. Or at least not disclose any disciplinary actions with the media. Instead, he announced that Pickens would play in the upcoming game against the Bengals, citing his talents as the reason.

"He has talents, and we want to utilize them."

This decision didn’t sit well with Mark Kaboly, a Senior Writer for The Athletic who covers the Steelers. Kaboly believes that Tomlin missed a crucial opportunity to reaffirm his authority over the team and its culture.

"To me, Tomlin dropped the ball on this one. He had it all teed up for another classic Tomlin moment, but instead, he backed off. Where have you gone, 2008 Mike Tomlin?"

Kaboly pointed to several instances in Tomlin's career when he did not hesitate to discipline talented players. 

“There have been other examples of Tomlin’s putting his foot down over the years: Not playing Santonio Holmes days after he was charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession after a traffic stop in 2008; sitting Martavis Bryant for a game in 2017 after he tweeted that teammate JuJu Smith-Schuster was 'no way better than me' and then calling in sick the next day; or even sitting Antonio Brown in a must-win 2018 season finale because of boorish behavior.”

However, the current situation differs from those past instances. The Steelers, who were more successful in previous years, are now struggling to score points consistently. Tomlin may fear that benching Pickens, a key offensive asset, could further weaken an already underperforming offense. This dilemma leaves Tomlin in a challenging position.

Nonetheless, accountability remains a cornerstone of the Steelers dynamics. Making excuses, especially one suggesting reluctance to block for fear of injury in a game where players routinely put their bodies on the line, can have negative repercussions both in the locker room and with fans.

When Tomlin was asked about how Pickens' comments were received by his teammates, his response was succinct.

"Ask them."

While Tomlin's reply lacked elaboration, it's safe to assume that the locker room wasn't pleased with Pickens' explanation. Warren, who epitomizes hard work and dedication, stated that he would have blocked for Pickens had the roles been reversed.

Amidst the turmoil of December, the Steelers still hold a slim chance of making the playoffs. Their path to the postseason begins with a win against the Bengals and hinges on Pickens adopting a team-first attitude. Steelers fans, who have weathered a storm of disappointment, simply want to see effort and a commitment to the team's success.

As Tomlin navigates this challenging season, his handling of the Pickens situation remains under scrutiny. Whether this controversy will have lasting implications on the team's culture and Tomlin's legacy as head coach remains to be seen.

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