Since taking over the Pittsburgh Steelers back in 2007, head coach Mike Tomlin has built a Hall of Fame legacy. But like what happens with every great thing, time takes its toll, and any and all great previous accolades tend to be forgotten when new ones aren’t produced any longer.
Tomlin has found this out the hard way recently. After having the Buffalo Bills drum them 26-7 at home, Steelers fans inside Acrisure Stadium made their feelings known, loudly chanting, “Fire Tomlin.”
Considering now that the Steelers could lose their lead in the AFC North in what seems to be a down year in the division after losing their last two games, there are real rumblings that Pittsburgh may indeed move on from the longtime head coach.
But then again, this is a franchise that has been one of the most stable in all the NFL when it comes to head coaches. Since 1969, they’ve had just three. That can happen in five years with some teams.
So then, what will Pittsburgh do with Tomlin if this season truly goes off the rails? CBS Sports’ Bryan DeArdo presented an interesting situation that involved the Steelers trading Tomlin.
Would the Steelers Consider Trading Mike Tomlin?
Trading Tomlin would be perhaps one of the wildest scenarios that could take place, though maybe not completely unrealistic. After all, it’s happened with notable head coaches before.
Just before the 2002 season, the then Oakland Raiders traded Jon Gruden to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Just two years prior, the New York Jets traded Bill Belichick to the New England Patriots.
Why would this be a smart move by the Steelers? Because as DeArdo explains, Tomlin is going to find a new job and likely quick. Why not try to get something for him?
“Steelers fans always hear that Tomlin would get another coaching job quicker than a DoorDash delivery if he ever parted ways with Pittsburgh. If that’s truly the case (it undoubtedly is), then why wouldn’t the Steelers try to get something in return? This would likely require Tomlin’s blessing, which he may be willing to do,” DeArdo wrote.
The upcoming coaching cycle coming up after the season is considered one of the worst in a long time, with no true big names that have NFL owners excited. As soon as news were to break that Tomlin was fired, or was available for trade, calls would come very quickly.
Ben Roethlisberger Suggests It’s Time for Tomlin and Steelers To Part Ways
Honestly, watching how the events of Week 13’s loss to Buffalo played out, with the home crowd calling for Tomlin’s head, is something that will be hard to come back from. Still, that doesn’t mean that there has to be an ugly divorce between Tomlin and the Steelers.
On his podcast, former Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who played under Tomlin for 15 seasons, suggested his former head coach and the team come to an agreement to amicably separate. Roethlisberger even went as far as suggesting Tomlin move on to become Penn State’s next head coach.
Tomlin definitely wasn’t hearing that noise, however.
“I don’t have time for that speculation. That’s a joke to me,” Tomlin said. “I’ve got one of the best jobs in all of professional sport. Why would I have any interest in coaching college football? … Never say never, but never. … There’s not a booster with a big enough blank check.”
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