In the coming days or weeks, we never really know until 48 hours beforehand or so, Pittsburgh Steelers’ Team President Art Rooney II will speak. It was a year ago at this time that he demanded a better running game among a list of other things that needed to improve.
So we now find ourselves reviewing a 2021 season in which the team somewhat surprisingly made the postseason and like last year, made an immediate departure. This year’s departure was expected unlike last year’s disastrous loss at home to Cleveland.
When ARII strides to the podium in the near future, I don’t expect much in the way of positives. The most important position on the field is now in flux. The running game, despite flashes at times, was still awful. The receiving corps, largely underwhelmed and the defense was run over more than at any time in many, many years. In other words, there can’t be much to celebrate if you’re the guy in charge of the organization.
One thing I’m most intrigued by is Matt Canada’s apparent retention as the offensive coordinator. Mike Tomlin didn’t come out and say “Matt will return” but his comments certainly indicated that it was going to happen. I’m not 100% convinced of this and I won’t be until Art Rooney II says as much. We’ve seen situations like this before. Tomlin wanted to keep Bruce Arians back in 2011 but The Rooney’s didn’t so Arians “retired.”
The defensive coordinator situation isn’t as intriguing but nothing is set in stone yet. Reports that Keith Butler will retire have been plentiful but are yet to be confirmed. If that occurs then Teryl Austin appears the likely successor. But perhaps ARII has seen enough and this need to promote from within will be set aside in this instance. There are several really good coordinators available right now and that’s not a knock on Austin who may do a great job. It’s just that we’ve all seen the same issues over and over and at some point you have to wonder if bringing in someone else isn’t a better option.
There is always speculation when the Steelers’ season comes to an end but this year has a lot more uncertainty to it and until Art Rooney II has his say I’m not sold on anything.
