Pittsburgh Steelers HC Mike Tomlin Linked To Washington Commanders Job Via Massive Trade
An NFL insider suggested Wednesday the Pittsburgh Steelers could take an alternate route to firing head coach Mike Tomlin this offseason if they wanted a fresh start for their sideline in 2024.
Tomlin has received heavy criticism from fans and pundits this season for the Steelers’ play this season. Last week, former Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger pointed out systemic issues with players on the roster and poor in-game decisions that suggest Tomlin has lost control in Pittsburgh.
The 7-7 Steelers have been underwhelming this season, and the team might have to reset again with quarterback Kenny Pickett not looking like the guy. The Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since the 2016 season, and that drought doesn’t look like it will end this winter.
Mike Florio thinks the Pittsburgh Steelers could trade Tomlin
Mike Florio with NBC Sports wrote about a potential solution for the Steelers if they don’t want to fire Tomlin. Florio thinks the Steelers could try and get something for Tomlin this offseason by trading him to a team like the Washington Commanders:
“For the first time since Tomlin became the coach of the team in early 2007, it feels like a divorce is coming. And it’s not that the Steelers would fire Tomlin. If a split occurs, it will happen either because Tomlin wants out — or because another team looking for a new head coach (Commanders, e.g.) calls the Steelers to initiate the process for essentially pulling off a trade.
What would the Steelers want for Tomlin? He’s under contract for one more year. Twenty-one years ago, Jon Gruden was under contract for one more year with the Raiders. And the Buccaneers gave up two first-round picks, two second-round picks, and $8 million to get Gruden. (On the defensive staff that Gruden inherited was a young defensive backs coach named Mike Tomlin.)
Surely, it wouldn’t take that much to get Tomlin. Especially if Tomlin is willing to do what few coaches ever dare to try. Tomlin could make it clear, internally or externally or both, that he’s content to finish his contract and become a coaching free agent in 2025.”
The Steelers’ next head coach could undoubtedly use the draft capital. The Steelers have several spots on the offense, including at quarterback, that will need to be upgraded before the team is a threat in the AFC again. The offensive line, running back, and wide receiver (because of attitude reasons vs talent) positions must also be replaced.
I think the Steelers should keep Tomlin. It’s hard to believe the Steelers can find a better coach this offseason. They’d be wise to worry about the roster and let Tomlin run it back for his final season under contract.
But if the Steelers want to part ways for the rebuild, trading Tomlin would make more sense than firing a Super Bowl-winning coach who’s been one of the best NFL coaches since his tenure started in 2007.
