A defensive think tank has weighed in on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ recent struggles, and their assessment is blunt: Art Rooney needs to step in and address the team’s issues.
The think tank, which consists of several former NFL players and coaches, believes that Mike Tomlin’s loyalty to his players is a major problem.
“Tomlin’s loyalty is admirable, but it’s also a hindrance,” said one member of the think tank. “He’s too willing to give his players the benefit of the doubt, even when they’re not performing. That’s not how you build a winning team.”
The think tank pointed to the Steelers’ recent struggles on defense as evidence of Tomlin’s loyalty problem.
“The Steelers have been terrible on defense, and yet Tomlin continues to play the same players and run the same schemes,” said another member of the think tank. “It’s like he’s more concerned with being loyal to his players than with winning games.”
The think tank believes that Art Rooney needs to step in and address the team’s issues.
“Rooney needs to take a harder look at the team and make some tough decisions,” said the first member of the think tank. “He needs to ask himself if Tomlin is the right man for the job, and if the current players are good enough to win a championship.”
The think tank also believes that the Steelers need to make some changes to their coaching staff.
“The Steelers need to bring in some fresh perspectives and new ideas,” said the second member of the think tank. “They can’t just keep doing the same things and expecting different results.”
One name that the think tank mentioned as a potential candidate to replace Tomlin is Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh.
“Harbaugh is a proven winner, and he’s got the kind of toughness and discipline that the Steelers need,” said the first member of the think tank. “He’s also got a strong track record of developing players, which is something the Steelers desperately need.”
Of course, it’s worth noting that Harbaugh has denied any interest in returning to the NFL, and it’s unclear whether he would even be interested in the Steelers’ job.
Regardless of who the Steelers ultimately decide to hire, the think tank believes that the team needs to make some major changes if they want to return to contention.
“The Steelers need to take a hard look in the mirror and ask themselves what’s going wrong,” said the second member of the think tank. “They need to make some tough decisions and bring in some new blood. If they don’t, they’re going to be stuck in mediocrity for a long time.”
What’s Next for the Steelers?
The Steelers still have several needs to address this offseason, including:
Quarterback: The Steelers need to find a long-term solution at quarterback, whether through free agency or the draft.
Wide receiver: The Steelers need to add depth and talent to their wide receiver corps.
Linebacker: The Steelers need to add depth and talent to their linebacker corps.
The Steelers will likely address these needs through a combination of free agency and the draft. With a few key additions, the Steelers could be back in contention sooner rather than later.
