I’m guessing that even though the game has been over for several hours, Steelers’ President Art Rooney II can’t be a very happy man. While the Rooney Family is known for not showing a whole lot of emotion following losses or wins for that matter, I have to believe ARII is seething.
His Steelers held their playoff fate in their own hands just a short time ago but now they have to have help. It’s become an all too common theme in recent years. Should the Steelers miss the playoffs for the third time in four years, will there be any heads rolling?
The major question I have is how does ARII deal with his hand-picked offensive coordinator Todd Haley? The son of former Steelers’ employee Dick Haley has helped this offense rack up prolific numbers the last several years but has zero playoff wins to show for it. But if I’m an NFL owner looking for an offensive-minded head coach this offseason why wouldn’t I start with Haley?
This takes me back to the question of Haley’s future. We know that ARII is not cut in the same mold as his father or his Grandfather. He thinks differently and reacts differently and that’s why we can’t automatically assume that Mike Tomlin’s job is safe just because “patience is what the Rooney’s are known for.”
ARII knows Haley won’t sit around forever; if a head coaching job opens and a team shows interest why wouldn’t Haley take it? This is often one of the major reasons why some owners don’t like having former head coaches on their staffs. There’s constant guessing as to whether they are undermining the current coach in an effort to get the job for themselves.
So what would ARII do? Does he pay Haley head coaching money just to stay on as the offensive coordinator or does the lack of patience get the best of him? There’s always been the theory that ARII wants Haley to be the head coach of the Steelers. Does another playoff-less season for Tomlin give him reason enough to fire Tomlin and promote Haley?
One major publication has already suggested that Haley would be a great fit in Miami which is likely to come open a week from now. There could also be openings in San Diego, Cleveland, Philly, the NYG and a handful of other potential places. If Haley’s name doesn’t come up in any of those then wouldn’t that make you wonder why not?
Art Rooney II is facing what seems like a very easy decision. Stay with a Super Bowl winning coach or move to one who has strong family ties to his franchise? Basically, this becomes a moot point if the Steelers get into the postseason next week but if they don’t, everything will be laid out on the table and it all becomes fair game.
4 comments
Teams will have a longer look at Haley now that we’re probably going to miss the playoffs.
That being said, teams now seem to prefer a young (i.e. cheap) guys over failed older guys like Haley. Guys like Dan Quinn, Todd Bowles, etc.
If it did come down to it though, I can’t see them opening up the checkbook big time for Haley. And I’d expect a promotion from within as his replacement. Fichtner?
Yo cannot always help friends. Haley got FIRED and KC came back winning??? Why keep someone who took your offense from productive as a team to individual performances. For three years Pittsburgh can’t pick up 1st downs consistently with his game plan. Ben still getting hit cuz he holds the ball….still subjected to injury (it happens) yet with the best offense in the league the team can’t win consistently. Let him go already.
I would think most owners/GMs would look at the Steelers and say “they haven’t been to/won in the playoffs because of the D, not Haley.” I could be wrong there but I have to think that weighs into the equation. I also have to think that if absolutely no one makes a call about him then that speaks volumes about his image league-wide.
As far as Haley goes, Yes the numbers don’t lie, Probably the best receiving crop in football but only 20 some TD’s. Yes we did score some points but then again a few more TD’s puts us over the top. The defense was horrible, for those who said give this some time well you were wrong. Is coaching and scheme to blame, absolutely. Changes do need to be made or we very well could watch a sequel in 2016. I’m not saying fire everyone but geez wake up and smell the coffee let’s get some DB’s maybe a LB or 2. Quit playing this well it takes 3 years to learn our system. Get some good aggressive young players and let them go. This crap well Jarvis is good, Blakes is fine and we don’t need help at CB, we are good at safety. The truth is the leadership and accountability hasn’t been there. What i’m saying is change maybe not but most of these guys need to get there heads out of their a$$holes. Because are we any any further along than the team that just missed the playoffs two years ago.