The Pittsburgh Steelers have not been victorious in a postseason matchup since the 2016 season. This fact has the fan base completely flustered and looking for answers. It's easy to argue that the only other coach in the four major sports that could survive this kind of stretch, besides Mike Tomlin, is Greg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs, but he finally just stepped away to join the NBA franchise's front office. Tomlin is now the longest-tenured coach throughout the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL. It appears as if he will have a lifetime contract unless he decides to walk away from the Steel City.
Kareem Elgazzar / USA TODAY Sports
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin stands on the sideline during a professional football game.
As coaches in the NFL become more tenured, they end up getting much more control and power within an organization. That is what has happened with Tomlin, and some could argue that his decision-making when it comes to the roster has been detrimental to the team as a whole. From the public's point of view, it seems as if Tomlin is completely oblivious to the fact that he could be the issue in Pittsburgh.
Recently, former Seattle Seahawks Head Coach Pete Carroll decided to walk away from the same franchise he won a Super Bowl with. He took a year off and now is with the Las Vegas Raiders. During a recent appearance on the Brock & Salk show presented by Seattle Radio, Carroll spoke about when he knew it was time for him to leave the Seahawks organization. The driving factor was to fully give the reins to General Manager John Schneider.
“It came to me that there was a time that we probably were about to face one of the bigger changes, shifts, in the time of the program, and I had really been dedicated, as John had been dedicated too, John Schneider, to doing this thing in great fashion together,” Carroll said. “We had done that, I thought, and it was really John’s turn, it was his turn to take over."
Carroll had the thought to give up his power and move on after a relationship with Schneider that really began in 2010. Omar Khan has only been in charge for the Steelers since 2022, but the message should resonate within Pittsburgh's building. Carroll understood that he had too much power and wanted to give an actual executive the opportunity to run the show.
"I had the lead voice and all of that all through that time, and I was really hoping that John could become the general manager of the club and run it," Carroll noted. "If we could do that and figure a way to get out of that, we did. Jody [Allen] was great about it, and so we just kind of agreed upon it that if we could work it out, I would support the thought. That’s kind of how it happened, so it’s a little bit different than maybe how people perceived it, but John got his chance.”
Jody Allen is the current owner of the Seahawks, and it's clear that out in Seattle, a respected coach, the general manager, and the franchise's top decision-maker all came to an agreement.
AP Photo / Don Wright
Former Seattle Seahawks Head Coach Pete Carroll (left) and Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin shake hands on the field after a game
Carroll clearly does not mention the Steelers in any facet when speaking about his departure from Seattle, but the shoe fits. Pittsburgh has a bright front office run by Khan and Andy Weidl, but it's very possible that the duo doesn't have nearly as much say as some front office members do throughout the league. While Carroll wasn't necessarily fired, it's pretty easy to connect the dots; the trio of leaders for the Seahawks agreed it was time to part ways.
The leadership in the Steel City could learn a good deal about Carroll exiting as the coach of a team he gave so much time and energy to. Tomlin is a phenomenal leader, but it could be time to finally let someone else call the shots. It might be better off for the franchise as a whole if the Steelers have a new mind in the coaching room, while the executives are given the opportunity to do what they do best.
Maya Giron / Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney and General Manager Omar Khan stand together at a press conference announcing Khan's new position on May 27, 2022.
Steelers Can't Continue To Live In Constant State Of Mediocrity
Pittsburgh used to be a contender each year a new NFL season began. The team is now considered one of the more middle-of-the-pack groups because of roster construction, specifically on the offensive side of the ball. Tomlin is known to be a defensive head coach, but the league has changed since he came to the Steel City. Carroll's comments and acknowledgment that it was his time to walk away from Seattle are something that could be considered soon for the Steelers.
Do you think that it is time for Pittsburgh and Tomlin to go in different directions? Let us know in the comments below!
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