Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin didn’t like being asked about his future with the team after he lost to the Buffalo Bills in the wild card round, but it was an important question to ask following another early playoff exit.
Although Tomlin has never finished a season with a losing record, the Steelers haven’t made the AFC title game since 2010, haven’t won a Super Bowl since 2008, and only have three playoff wins since 2015.
However, former NFL general manager Mike Lombardi doesn’t think the Steelers organization or it’s fans should be so quick to dump Tomlin for another coach.
“If you think you’re gonna find a better coach than Mike Tomlin, good luck,” Lombardi said. “I don’t think you’re going to go out there and say, ‘This coach is better than Tomlin. We need to bring him in.’”
“If you think you’re gonna find a better coach than Mike Tomlin, good luck.”
Mike Lombardi on Tomlin’s quick exit from the Steelers press conference @PatMcAfeeShow pic.twitter.com/RmTXgb9T3N
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) January 16, 2024
The NFL head coach hiring cycle can be fickle and – similar to the NFL draft – a total guessing game.
Coaches who look good on paper may be awful game managers and locker room leaders, while others might not be able to galvanize their new team like their old one.
So, from Lombardi’s point of view, the Steelers would be better suited to stick with the coach they know is a proven winner rather than oust him for a lottery ticket that could be worthless in a season or two.
Whatever the case may be, though, the team will have an important decision to make regarding the future of Tomlin and their team for 2024 after another playoff defeat.
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