Mike Tomlin‘s 19-year tenure as head coach is under serious scrutiny. Just how hot his seat is remains up for debate. But the conversation intensified after former Steelers safety Ryan Clark took a jab at him. Although Tomlin hasn’t responded, discussions about his potential departure are gaining momentum. Since Clark’s pointed comments, many experts, analysts, and reporters have weighed in — and Mark Kaboly is no exception.Kaboly was on ‘93.7 The Fan’ to talk about the Steelers and the overall issue revolving around it. The host of the radio podcast also asked Mark Kaboly about Ryan Clark’s recent remarks on Mike Tomlin. Kaboly made it clear—he doesn’t agree with them. But before we get to Kaboly’s strong response, let’s revisit what Ryan Clark actually said.

On May 15, Ryan Clark, who played under Tomlin from 2007 to 2013, stated, “I think Mike Tomlin should coach in another organization. Tomlin should be a fresh voice somewhere else. Because I believe, as great a coach as he is—and he’s a first-ballot Hall of Famer—I believe his voice has run stale there. I believe he has allowed that team to reach the highest heights they’re going to reach unless they can get a top-tier quarterback.” Following those comments, Steelers reporter Mark Kaboly shared his perspective. He firmly disagreed, arguing that Tomlin still has the ability to inspire players.

“No. I do not agree with that,” Kaboly said during an appearance on 93.7 The Fan. He added, “I don’t buy this ‘staleness of the message.’ Just look at last year—half the team isn’t even around anymore. You go back three years, and you’re looking at maybe eight to ten returning players. What message are we talking about?” While Kaboly dismissed the idea that Tomlin’s leadership has grown stale, he did acknowledge that certain aspects of his coaching approach may be outdated.

“Maybe the way his decision-making is,” Kaboly said. “I don’t think his message is stale to players. Every player that comes in there absolutely loves him, loves to hear him talk, and loves to have him motivate them. So I don’t buy that. But I do buy, potentially, that the way he goes about his business might be a little antiquated.” However, the discussion didn’t stop there.

Ryan Clark went even further, criticizing his former coach and suggesting that Tomlin should follow in the footsteps of Chiefs head coach Andy Reid. In short, Clark believes Tomlin needs to evolve—and work harder—to stay competitive.

Ryan Clark to Tomlin: Time for a new playbook

After adding, “I believe he’s allowed that team to reach the highest of heights they’re gonna reach in less than they can get a top-tier quarterback,” 45-YO Ryan Clark said, “He needs to go have his ‘Andy Reid-Kansas City run’ on another team.” He basically pointed out Andy Reid’s struggle to get over the hump. Reid started his career as a head coach with the Philadelphia Eagles. 

He spent 14 years in Philadelphia from 1999 to 2012. It’s similar to Mike Tomlin, as the 53-year-old Steelers coach has spent 18 years with the franchise. In those 14 years (1999 to 2012), the Eagles went to the playoffs nine times. Though they never won a Super Bowl, Andy Reid was so close to winning his first one in 2004 against the Patriots. But after that SB loss, the Eagles never reached the Super Bowl in eight years.

If we compare it to Mike Tomlin, the Steelers’ HC has not helped the team get over the wild-card round in the past eight years. Since 2017, the Steelers have lost five out of five wild-card games. But after Andy Reid’s Eagles stint, he has never lost a divisional round in 8 years. In fact, it has continuously won seven out of seven conference rounds. So, Ryan Clark’s point is real. The Steelers need a strong QB. And Mike Tomlin also has to pull up some weights to achieve something great, like Andy Reid. Let’s see how Tomlin gets over the continuous losses.