It is an opportunity for a whole reset
In some ways, Tomlin is a sufferer of his personal success. He by no means had a shedding season with the Steelers, however that is one cause the crew has been mired in mediocrity lately. Pittsburgh hasn’t received greater than 10 regular-season video games because the 2020 season. This season, it went 10-7.
That has left the crew unable to safe a excessive choose within the NFL Draft, which they may use on a quarterback. Pittsburgh owns choose No. 21 in 2026, doubtless exterior the vary to pick out a prime passer.
Since former star QB Ben Roethlisberger retired after the 2021 season, the Steelers have began former first-round flop Kenny Pickett and veterans previous their primes, together with Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers. Do not anticipate QB Will Howard — a 2025 sixth-round choose — to finish the revolving door at crucial place.
Tanking in 2026 would enable Pittsburgh to land an elite QB prospect. The category options QBs Arch Manning (Texas Longhorns) and LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina Gamecocks).
Typically, a crew should first be terrible to turn into nice. Take a look at the Dallas Cowboys within the Nineteen Nineties. Dallas went 1-15 in 1989 after firing Corridor of Fame coach Tom Landry and changing him with Jimmy Johnson. Johnson, in fact, received two Tremendous Bowls in his subsequent 4 seasons in Dallas.
Steelers can now herald an offensive-minded coach
The Steelers offense has appeared anemic in its previous two seasons beneath Tomlin. Pittsburgh ranked seventeenth within the league in scoring (22.4) this season, after ending twentieth final season (21.9). (These figures embrace the playoffs.)
Offense is not Tomlin’s experience. He started his NFL teaching profession as a defensive backs coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and spent one season as a defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings earlier than the Steelers employed him in January 2007.
With Tomlin gone, Pittsburgh can rent an offensive guru to repair the struggling unit. Loads of prime offensive minds can be found, together with former Cleveland Browns HC Kevin Stefanski, former Washington Commanders OC/Arizona Cardinals HC Kliff Kingsbury and former Miami Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel.
The Steelers are a beautiful touchdown spot for head-coaching candidates
The Steelers present two issues coaches covet: stability and persistence. Since 1969, Pittsburgh has had simply three HCs: Tomlin, Invoice Cowher (1992-2006) and Chuck Noll (1969-91). All received a Tremendous Bowl with the membership.
The Rooney household actually performs a major function within the franchise’s soccer operations. Nonetheless, it isn’t overbearing like different house owners (cough, cough, Jerry Jones).
“The opposite facet of the coin is if you take a look at the very fact we now have six, seven, eight groups a yr that flip their coaches over,” Artwork Rooney II stated whereas discussing Tomlin’s job standing in January 2025 (h/t ESPN’s Brooke Pryor). “When you may have a very good coach, you simply preserve attempting to construct with them.”
Omar Khan is a superb GM
Shifting on from a long-tenured coach at all times raises issues a few crew’s capability to search out expertise. Fortunately for the Steelers, Khan has a confirmed monitor document.
Khan joined the group in 2001 as a soccer administration coordinator. Since then, he has helped Pittsburgh choose a number of Professional Bowlers within the draft, together with eight-time Professional Bowl linebacker T.J. Watt and seven-time Professional Bowl defensive deal with Cameron Heyward.
Since changing into GM in 2022, Khan has made daring trades. In March 2025, he acquired star huge receiver DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks. The WR led the crew in receiving yards in the course of the common season (850 in 15 video games).
The draft is scheduled for April 23-25 at Level State Park and Acrisure Stadium. Madaleine Rubin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has reported the occasion is predicted to attract 500,000-700,000 guests, which ought to assist the town generate hundreds of thousands in income.
VisitPittsburgh president and CEO Jerad Bachar has advised Rubin that it will likely be the “largest occasion Pittsburgh has ever hosted.”
Retaining Tomlin after one other playoff loss could have led to better pessimism amongst followers. The Steelers are getting into a brand new chapter, which provides hope for the long run; the town wants it earlier than the extremely anticipated three-day occasion.
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