Over the last two weeks, Steelers Nation has watched the team mind-blowingly lose back-to-back games to the Arizona Cardinals and the New England Patriots, two of the worst teams in the league this season. Even worse, both losses were in Pittsburgh.
Not surprisingly, fans targeted the offense, Kenny Pickett, Diontae Johnson, Najee Harris, George Pickens and even former offensive coordinator Matt Canada for the inexcusable losses and lackluster effort, regardless of injuries or frustrations.
But before Thursday night’s debacle against the Patriots, a sentiment began to simmer that eventually boiled over on Friday morning.
Fire Mike Tomlin.
The Steelers have one of the best defenses in the league, and the team proved that again by completely shutting down the Pats in the second half.
But Pittsburgh’s offense continues to let its defense and fans worldwide down this season, and the losses to the Cardinals and Patriots over the past two weeks were no exception.
Mitch Trubisky continued the Matt Canada-cursed offense’s poor reads and blew two fourth downs that could have won the game against New England. The refs played a part in the loss with a suspect call against Pittsburgh on a punt play where the Pats jumped offsides but the long-snapper was shockingly called for a false start. But that doesn’t excuse the two blown reads by Trubisky.
Social media has been going off on Diontae’s poor effort and Picken’s sulking, and that’s understandable. Although as it relates to the latter, I think criticisms of the young talent are unfair because the way the team has misused and ignored him this season is criminal.
And yes, questions surround Pickett regarding whether he’s the answer under center, but that’s not entirely fair for he’s been hampered by Canada’s horrid system for two years.
But now some are ridiculously attacking Mike Tomlin and calling for his firing.
Has Tomlin made mistakes this season and during his career? Absolutely.
He kept Matt Canada this season instead of hiring a true offensive coordinator after last season who could design an offense that adheres to the current NFL trends and one that could also help Pickett’s development.
Tomlin’s strength and weakness is his loyalty, a trait ingrained in the Steelers’ culture. But failing to adapt to the league’s shift toward dynamic, creative passing offenses instead of leading with defense is something Tomlin has to take accountability for.
But that’s not a fireable offense, especially when you consider the Steelers over the last five years.
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