The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the NFL’s most stable franchises, so if any of the six* teams currently looking for a new head coach is thinking about trying to make a trade for Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin, here’s a simple message straight from the man himself: ‘Save your time.’
Following the team’s fifth consecutive loss this season in the first round of the playoffs, Tomlin told reporters Tuesday at his season-ending news conference that he understands the frustration fans are feeling – with many of them calling for a coaching change.
‘I don’t make excuses for failure. I own it, but I also feel like I’m capable and so as long as I’m afforded an opportunity to do that, I will continue, but I certainly understand their frustrations and probably more importantly than that, I share it because that’s how I’m wired.’
Tomlin acknowledged the need for some changes heading into next season, which will be his 19th as Steelers coach. However, he didn’t go into any detail because he’s just started the evaluation process.
‘Certainly, there’s change that comes when we don’t have the desired outcome, and so those are just the realities of the business,’ he said.
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Head coach is unlikely to be one of those changes, with Tomlin signing a three-year extension last offseason.
One of the biggest decisions Tomlin and his staff will have to make is at quarterback, with both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields on expiring contracts.
He said the team would be comfortable having either one – or both – on the roster next season.
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