Steelers' Mike Tomlin Draws Adequate Defense From Radio Host: "Not The Same Thing As Matt Canada"

The struggles for the Pittsburgh Steelers continue after the loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football, losing 35-25 in a game that simply got away from them late as the defense collapsed in on itself. There have been plenty of reasons given by everyone from fans to media regarding why the Steelers collapsed in the final half of the game against the Packers, and some center around Head Coach Mike Tomlin. Some have even gone so far as to questioning if Tomlin should willingly remain with the Steelers due to the questions surrounding the team on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, but the critics have largely wanted Tomlin fired.

However, not everyone believes that calls for Tomlin to be fired are deserved. On The PM Team w/Poni & Mueller recently, the hosts went back and forth on whether or not they believe Tomlin should be fired. Andrew Fillipponi and Chris Mueller both presented differing opinions, and Thursday's live show produced a very interesting comment directed at the people who want Tomlin fired.

"I don't think a Super Bowl winning head coach really deserves that," Fillipponi said openly. "It's not the same thing as Ron Hextall who won nothing with the Penguins and was a trojan horse sent here by the Flyers to ruin the organization. It's not the same thing as Matt Canada because Matt Canada had zero success and had no business being an NFL offensive coordinator. Tomlin's, obviously, when compared to both, accomplished so much more."

Fillipponi's comments raise a resounding point. Tomlin has led the team to two Super Bowls in his tenure, winning Super Bowl XLIII against the Arizona Cardinals and losing Super Bowl XLV against the Packers, and much more. Tomlin has been the head coach of the Steelers since 2007 and has had some other questionable moments throughout his career, but was never the head coach of a Steelers team with a losing record throughout his time here. 

Tomlin has accomplished a great deal in his time with the Steelers, and the organization appears to believe the same thing. If the team had wanted to fire Tomlin for his shortcomings in the past, they've had many different opportunities before now to do so. However, the fact that he is still here speaks volumes to his accomplishments, giving weight to Fillipponi's remarks about chanting for Tomlin to be fired being undeserved. If Tomlin truly wants to ensure these comments stop, he has a perfect opportunity for this throughout the next few months.

Steelers' Mike Tomlin Can Show Why He's Still A Top Tier Head Coach This Month

Tomlin has a tough challenge ahead of him this coming weekend, as the Indianapolis Colts are coming to Pittsburgh, riding a 7-1 record and performing like one of the best teams in the NFL throughout the first eight weeks. After the Colts, the schedule gets no easier for the Steelers, going on the road to face the Los Angeles Chargers, and three weeks later, the Buffalo Bills will be coming to town. These three matchups will be incredibly difficult for the Steelers, and is a perfect opportunity for Tomlin to put together a string of impressive coaching performances that prove that Tomlin belongs as head coach of the Steelers, and not on the unemployment line.

If Tomlin can lead the team to victories in those three critical matchups, along with the ones in between, then Fillipponi's comments will be proven right. A Super Bowl winning head coach with as much pedigree as Tomlin has throughout the league is much different than other coaches who have done next to nothing for their respective teams.

What did you think about Fillipponi and Mueller's comments regarding calls for Tomlin to be fired being undeserved? Let us know in the comments or on X at @SteelersSwamp7.

#SteelerNation