Pat McAfee debates whether Pittsburgh fans are growing tired of Mike Tomlin
For the last 17 years, Mike Tomlin has been a model of consistency as a head coach, leading the Pittsburgh Steelers to a .500 record or better every season he’s been in charge.
That, however, appears to be in serious jeopardy just four games into the 2023 season. The Steelers, sitting at 2-2, are coming off a 30-6 Week 4 beatdown at the hands of the Houston Texans (2-2). They own the league’s 29th ranked offense. Their defense, which has always been their calling card, is ranked 30th in the league. Injuries are mounting, with players such as defensive lineman Cameron Heyward, receiver Diontae Johnson and tight end Pat Freiermuth all sidelined. Matt Canada remains the offensive coordinator and won’t be going anywhere “at this juncture,” Tomlin said Tuesday.
Pittsburgh is spiraling and it’s fair to wonder if even a future Pro Football Hall of Fame coach such as Tomlin can turn it around. Pat McAfee is starting to have his doubts, and wonders if 2023 could potentially be the final season we see Tomlin roaming the sidelines at Acrisure Stadium.
Pat McAfee discusses possibility Mike Tomlin gets fired
“It feels like this year, the reactions from the people that are normally on his [Tomlin’s] side — because there’s always been detractors in Pittsburgh — the people that are normally on his side, seems like they’re getting a little bit quiet. Could you imagine [Art] Rooney [II] decides, ‘Alright, it’s time to move on from Mike Tomlin.’ It feels like there’s a chance for that this year, and I’ve never felt like that,” McAfee said Tuesday, via Steelers Depot. “… It’s getting hard, I think that’s the point that I’m trying to make.
“All the people that have defended Tomlin — and I think we’re part of that group — it’s getting to a point where it’s like, ‘Hey, you’re the only human not seeing what everybody else is seeing here. You’re the only one. And when it becomes that, and we appreciate him dying on his shield and everything like that, there might be some changes at the end of the year.”
It’s important to note that the Steelers are the most loyal franchise in the NFL. In fact, Tomlin is just one of three head coaches Pittsburgh has employed since 1969 (Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher). Clearly, it’s not in the ownership’s DNA to make a bold move such as firing a head coach.
But at the very least, there must be changes as Tomlin said there would be after Sunday’s loss if the Steelers want to keep up with the rest of the league moving forward.