Whether the Steelers should have extended Mike Tomlin’s contract will be a topic of endless discussion. What if they were forced to do this?After Tomlin made the decision to stay with him after the team’s playoff loss to the Bills the previous season, Art Rooney II, 71, devoted his legacy to the quarterback. Maybe this was the right time to break things off with the head coach. The franchise might have received the revitalization that a large portion of the fan base feels it needs. Furthermore, 52-year-old Tomlin would have had enough time to start over with a different team.Rooney is instead taking a chance on a stable horse that hasn’t won a race in a while but is still a decent bet to show. Even The Chief may have passed on this bet. Tomlin will spend at least four more seasons in Pittsburgh thanks to his three-year deal. That was not anything that was unexpected. It would never have worked to send a lame-duck coach into the fall. Once more, Rooney was left with no options.
By the time Tomlin’s contract expires, the combination will be in the latter stages of their careers, and only a seventh Lombardi will make the choice worthwhile.The odds are not in Tomlin’s favor in the immediate run. His 18th season is about to begin. He has a traveling quarterback who is 35 years old. Concerning holes are those in the secondary and receiver. The AFC North’s competitive balance has seldom been tighter, and the Steelers were assigned a difficult schedule by the league.Luckily, Rooney allowed Tomlin enough time to assemble a team capable of winning a Super Bowl. In addition to infuriating the fan base, a dismal 2024 campaign would position the Steelers for a high draft selection. A result akin to their 11th place overall in 2004 would be extremely fortunate.Russ Wilson’s ability to stay for more than one season is in doubt. Justin Fields eludes us. QB for the Steelers is a franchise asset. It’s critical to protect the legacies of Rooney and Tomlin.These two have an amazing list of achievements in common. Since Rooney was elected as the team’s president in 2002, the Steelers have participated in three Super Bowls and won two. Tomlin is one of the most successful head coaches in the NFL. He hasn’t had a losing season in his first 17 years and has a Lombardi.However, Rooney and Tomlin are rarely given much credit in spite of their accomplishment. Rooney is under the shadow of his Pro Football Hall of Fame father, Dan, who departed the Steelers after winning their last championship.
Being evaluated for decisions by one of the best NFL owners ever is an enviable position. Bill Cowher is the shadow of Tomlin. He is a Hall of Famer as well. It has been repeatedly stated and written that Rooney should be content with mediocrity if he keeps Tomlin, as Tomlin won Super Bowl XLIII with Cowher’s guys.Although neither judgment is correct, the only way to make it so is to win another Super Bowl; the sooner this happens, the better. Tomlin and Rooney don’t have much time to spare.Tomlin will, I assume, defend Rooney’s choice. With their current foundation, the Steelers haven’t had one in almost ten years. Whether it crumbles is up to the quarterback.A dominant offensive line for the next ten years should be completed using elements selected in the previous two selections. Bookend tackles Troy Fautanu and Broderick Jones, first-round selections, have All-Pro potential. Zach Frazier, a recent second-round pick, has the potential to develop into the team’s next great center. A strong line facilitates a slow running game, relieves the quarterback of pressure, and eases the workload of the Steelers defense, which added significant personnel in the summer through free agency.But Omar Khan, the general manager of the Steelers, needs to find a receiver to go with George Pickens. Khan always seems to be making big moves. Even giving up a high pick in exchange for a star player would provide a “foundational piece” for a shot at another Lombardi.
The plan has to work. It’s the only salvation for Rooney and Tomlin.
