The offseason has officially started for the Pittsburgh Steelers after a brutal loss to the Baltimore Ravens during the Wild Card Round of the 2024 NFL Playoffs. A first round exit in the postseason isn't shocking to Steelers fans as Head Coach Mike Tomlin has lost his last six playoff games. It's disappointing when the team was once 10-3, had a clear path to win the AFC North, and clinch home-field advantage in the conference. Instead, Pittsburgh lost its last five games and showed no signs of improvements.
The Rich Eisen Show / YouTube
Rich Eisen gives his opinion on Mike Tomlin after the Steelers lose to the Ravens in the Wild Card Round.
Tomlin has been taking a lot of heat after the Ravens' loss for his schemes and game plans. He's known for being the main one in charge of the defense instead of Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin. Austin still calls plays, but Tomlin is the one who at the end of the day has the final say.
The offense hasn't helped either, but the team as a whole lost its groove the last couple of games and let the outside noise get into the locker room. With repetitive seasons and outcomes under Tomlin, analysts like Rich Eisen are wondering if it's time for Tomlin to move on. Eisen spoke about a change in Pittsburgh on The Rich Eisen Show Monday, but he didn't put full blame on Tomlin.
"Even I am sitting here wondering if it would be time for Tomlin to find his next spot like Andy Reid," Eisen said. "'Cause after a while, in Eastern PA, it started going the other direction and the fans were getting tired and Andy Reid found his landing spot in Kansas City, and then found his [Patrick] Mahomes and I’m wondering if Tomlin’s sitting there wondering it’s time for the same exact thing and if the Rooneys are figuring the same thing."
Eisen has been known to defend and praise Tomlin and the Steelers on his show. His tone was different now that the Steelers' season is over, but he didn't go all in on Tomlin. A change of scenery for Tomlin was what Eisen was suggesting and that it could help out both teams at the end of the day. Andy Reid has had a lot of success with the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles have found a new coach who has done an outstanding job, having one of the best overall teams in the NFL.
Something clearly needs to be different going into next season, which is something Steeler Nation says every offseason. Tomlin is expected to be back in Pittsburgh for the 2025 campaign, so if it isn't his time yet, other coordinators likely need to go.
Lucy Schaly / Post-Gazette
Steelers' Teryl Austin while talking to the media.
If a coordinator were to go, Austin is the likely the one going. After Pittsburgh's defensive collapse late into the season, it raises concerns as to why the highest paid defense in the league was letting up so many yards to opposing offenses. Letting up over 300 yards in the first half to the Ravens in the Wild Card Round is embarrassing.
Eisen and other analysts can give scenarios and opinions on where Tomlin can be besides Pittsburgh, but at the end of the day, he's most likely going to stick with the Steelers for a while longer. His streak of non-losing seasons may be saving him, but fans are getting tired of that excuse to keep him. They want playoff wins and championships. They want to see a team that can compete with ones like the Chiefs. If Tomlin stays, then he needs to do a whole roster upheaval and coaching staff changes to get the heat off of him.
Matt Freed / AP Photo
Steelers' Russell Wilson and Justin Fields warming up before a game.
Steelers' Mike Tomlin Needs To Go With Justin Fields For 2025
One important decision going into this offseason is who will be the quarterback in Pittsburgh for the 2025 season. Russell Wilson and Justin Fields are the main options, unless the Steelers decide to sign someone in free agency or draft a rookie. Wilson has a great arm and shows flashes of his old self, but his lack of production for the latter half of the season didn't give fans much confidence about Wilson being the guy for a few more years.
Fields is still young and makes opposing defenses plan for his running abilities and throwing, so he's a good dual-threat for the offense. Fields led the team to a 4-2 start and the team has seen what he can do. To start making the right decisions on offense and boost its production, Tomlin and General Manager Omar Khan need to seriously consider signing Fields rather than Wilson.
Do you think Tomlin will ever move on from the Steelers on his own terms? Let us know in the comments!
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