You would think, after the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Baltimore Ravens yesterday that Mike Tomlin had slayed all of his demons. That one win suddenly made up for years of “mid” results and playoff failures. Read the right articles and listen to the right talk shows today and you would think Tomlin has righted the ship and will be the head coach for at least another decade – maybe he will…. It is my sincere hope that yesterday was indeed the catapult to a strong finish, division title and home playoff game. But I’ve also seen this movie before.
Tomlin’s P.R. machine was in full effect over the weekend suggesting that should the Steelers not pick up his option for 2027 on March 1st of next year then things could get interesting. We often forget that coaches need P.R. help as much as players do and this was a classic case of the information and the timing. Make no mistake, Tomlin knew the significance of what beating Baltimore meant and his team of advisors wanted to take full advantage.
With the victory, the Steelers’ chances of making the postseason jumped but the win also will get the vultures off of his back for at least a week. Despite his “historic” defense giving up 470 yards rushing in the last eight quarters and his offense playing with the consistency of a toddler’s behavior, Tomlin has the Steelers in position. He has seemingly saved his job with a single victory. Or did he?
Do any of you really believe that Tomlin was going to be fired if the Steelers had lost in Baltimore Sunday? Do you think he will be fired if they go on to lose the rest of their games? I never say “never” but the only way Tomlin goes anywhere is if he chooses to. Whether that’s because he needs a fresh start or because he won’t agree to the changes that will no doubt be forced upon him.
This narrative that yesterday’s result was going to be the deciding factor in Tomlin’s future is something I find laughable. If you want to discuss more about what the end result in January is then I could have that conversation. Yesterday in Baltimore was more about effort and seeing what his team was going to do. The effort against Buffalo was troubling and had we seen that again Sunday? Then by all means, start heating up the hot seat.
It was never going to come to that however and I think most of you know it.
