If you had a chance to listen to this week’s edition of the SteelCityInsider Podcast (#89), you were treated to Pittsburgh journalism legends Vic Ketchman and Ed Bouchette discussing the current state of the Steelers and the job security of Mike Tomlin.
If you haven’t, stop reading this article right now, and give yourself an early Christmas listen.
Interestingly enough, both Ketchman and Bouchette, who have almost 70 years of wisdom from covering the Steelers beat, believe that Tomlin will not return to the team for the 2024 season, both strongly believing that a Tomlin trade is a realistic possibility this offseason.
It’s not the first instance we’ve heard of the option of Tomlin being traded. But from people who know the organization, it’s worth giving healthy consideration to this prophecy coming to fruition this offseason.
The most memorable trade of an NFL head coach occurred in February of 2002 (in recent NFL history), when the Oakland Raiders shipped Jon Gruden to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for two first-round picks and two second-round picks, in addition to $8 million dollars. The beautiful irony is it all blossomed when the Raiders squared off against the Gruden-led Buccaneers in that year’s Super Bowl, in which the Buccaneers captured their first-ever championship. Conversely, those value draft picks did not benefit the Raiders, as they spent several years bottom-dwelling in the AFC West, stenched-out by copious 5-win and below seasons.
If somehow an agreement is reached at season’s conclusion, and Tomlin is in fact shipped out, using the Gruden example as historical precedent, we could confidently assume a bounty for the Steelers to be at least on par to the two first-rounders and two second-rounders.
However, just because the team would have the opportunity to upgrade their roster through the rewards of such a trade, what also must be considered is that it will take time for those draft picks to develop and to become consistent, meaningful contributors. Sure, a new head coach could have a knack for bringing along young talent, but if we are being practical and realistic, patience will be required for the reaping of draft-pick fruits.
And this gets to my ultimate point: If a trade truly is the outcome, or if the Steelers have a new head coach as result of something other than a trade, the improvement of this team as indicated by their on-field performance will take time. While the argument is strong as to why it is the opportune time to part ways with Tomlin, that change alone will not immediately translate into more wins, and/or a Super Bowl contending team right away.
There is much work to be done with the Pittsburgh roster, and its coaching staff, and it appears the Tomlin era has run its course in Pittsburgh. But Steelers Nation should not delude itself into thinking that a change in head coach will be the be-all, end-all for what ails this team, as the issues currently eroding the culture of this organization can only improve not just through change alone but also through the passing of time.
In order for the proverbial clock of improvement to begin ticking away for the Steelers, a decision needs to be made in regards to their coaching leadership. And whether that comes via retirement, firing, or trade, it is a necessity for a new era of Pittsburgh football to begin.
What an intriguing offseason this will be.
George Pickens is talking and playing himself out of Pittsburgh. Maybe it’s his intention to step out of his Steelers uniform and into new garbs. Maybe he believes blaming others will exonerate his unacceptable effort on the field.
Let’s say it’s likely a little of both – which doesn’t bode well for a talented athlete who isn’t talented enough to be worth the headache. It’s unwise to share Antonio Brown’s attitude. It’s even worse if you can’t perform up to AB’s standards.
Pickens – a former 2022 second-round pick from Georgia said to have had a first-round grade – once seemed to be a “foundational piece” in the franchise’s epic rebuilding project. Now he’s a virus who can’t be eradicated soon enough.
It should come as no surprise that Pickens blamed the media for his ineptitudes. Would you expect anything else from a player who gives less than his full sweat on the field?
“All the people that’s questioning my effort, they don’t play football,” he said during a media scrum Tuesday. “They do what y’all (in the media) do … all that people that got opinions. They’re media, surface guys. None of them play football.”
Guess what? Many general managers – including his own – never played football, either. Would he like to question their opinions?
It gets worse. Pickens’ reasoning for not setting a block that would have allowed Jaylen Warren to score a touchdown in Saturday’s loss to the Colts: “I ain’t want to get an injury. … That’s the reason.”
Pickens certainly is candid. His selfishness knows no bounds. Even worse, he’s not having a poor season, considering the issues the Steelers have at quarterback. He’s on pace to catch 64 passes for nearly 1,000 yards. His 15.7 yards per catch rank him 15thin the league.
It’s a shame that the only commonality Pickens shares with former Steelers great Hines Ward is choice of university. The two couldn’t be more opposite.
Ward didn’t have Pickens’ pedigree when the Steelers selected him with the final pick of the third round of the 1998 draft. Nearly all of the 13 receivers taken before him couldn’t be recognized on a milk carton.
The Steelers thought so little of Ward that they reached for a receiver in the following draft by selecting Troy Edwards with the 13th overall pick. The following year, they drafted Plaxico Burress with the eighth overall pick. Rather than sulk, Ward bided his time before becoming a star by his fourth season.
Ward caught 1,000 passes for 12,083 yards and scored 85 touchdowns. The MVP of Super Bowl XL didn’t just play the game, he changed it. His ferocious blocking put future Hall of Famers on their tails and stunted the careers of others. The Hines Ward Rule granted mercy to those not paying attention.
Ward scored touchdowns with one shoe, never made excuses and never gave less than his best effort. Canton is all that awaits and he seems to be nearing his invite.
