Leave it to Adam Schefter to add some drama to an already tense Pittsburgh Steelers’ fan base. With a massive game for the lead in the AFC North set for Sunday in Baltimore, Schefter tweeted out some interesting information regarding Mike Tomlin.
To be clear, we expect the Steelers to exercise the option.
Not doing so would take some leverage away from the team. Much like the decision teams face with free agents, the Steelers would not want to let Tomlin leave without getting some compensation. In other words, if Tomlin decided after this year to resign, having the extra year would allow the Steelers to retain his rights. Most pundits seem to believe that teams looking for a head coach would hire an available Mike Tomlin in a heartbeat. So let them pay the Steelers to get his rights.
As we’ve stated many times on the podcast (and in these spaces), Mike Tomlin isn’t getting fired. It would take several more underachieving seasons for that to be a possibility. Tomlin will leave he is ready to leave. That doesn’t mean he cannot be helped to reach that decision. If Art Rooney II requests that he make certain and specific changes that Tomlin doesn’t agree with, then a parting of the ways is possible.
We must also consider that this season still has four games remaining after Sunday’s game in Baltimore. That means there’s still time for any number of things – positive or negative – to happen. As of this writing however, we don’t see Tomlin going anywhere so expect the option to be picked up.
