Despite a 5-4 lead in the AFC North, the Pittsburgh Steelers are at a crossroads. On one hand, their veteran head coach, Mike Tomlin, has given them 18 winning seasons and a Super Bowl title. On the other hand is his inability to win in the playoffs. Following their brutal 25-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, questions of his future have started to intensify. However, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer believes there’s time for those decisions.

“I haven’t heard there’s going to be a trade on the table yet,” Breer confirmed during an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show.

This would be Tomlin’s 19th season with the Steelers. However, the team hasn’t won a playoff game since 2016. Moving the ball, sustaining drives, and finishing in the red zone have become recurring themes of frustration in Pittsburgh. Despite bringing in the veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, things haven’t smoothed out for Tomlin yet. Just look at their last matchup.

Against the Chargers, Rodgers had one of his worst games of his entire career. He ended the night with 16 of 31 completions for 161 yards, three sacks, and two interceptions. The offense was especially lacking on the third downs and in the red zone, finishing with 2-for-11 and 0-for-1, respectively. Not to mention, the team could not protect the ball, turning it over three times. 

Not only did the numbers paint a grim picture, but Tomlin’s look as he stood on the sidelines of SoFi Stadium also gave a similar feeling.

 In Pittsburgh, accountability isn’t optional — it’s tradition. For now, Tomlin is ready to return with better schemes. But as Breer said…

“All things run their course, right?

“I think there’s a reason to believe it could happen now or soon, though,” Breer told Eisen. “They have this group of players that are all older, and there is a reset coming. And so, after Aaron Rodgers, TJ Watt, Cam Heyward, and Jalen Ramsey and all these guys are gone, there’s going to be a significant retooling that’s gonna happen, and that’s when you ask those big picture questions.”

Currently, the Steelers have at least 17 players who are 30 years or older. Moreover, they only have 22 players in the 25-or-under age group. So, with the team still relying on some veterans, Tomlin’s contract, worth $50 million for three years, seems to be secure. However, it doesn’t change the inevitable.

Could Mike Tomlin be traded?

Every year, we’ve heard these speculations about the veteran head coach. Previously, the Chicago Bears attempted to target Tomlin before the Steelers swiftly dismissed the idea.

Currently, the New York Giants are circling Tomlin’s house. Given the two teams’ historic connections, a trade could become a reality. Since 1970, eight NFL coaches have been traded, with several of those deals involving first-round picks. The most recent came when the Denver Broncos sent two high-value picks to the New Orleans Saints for Sean Payton. Should the Steelers pursue a similar path, a first or second-rounder could be on the table.

However, the Steelers tend to retain their coaches until their contracts run out. For Tomlin, there’s still time. To keep his job as it is, he only needs to do one thing, and he already knows that: win a playoff game.

Top Stories

Bill Cowher’s Strong Message to Steelers on Firing Mike Tomlin After HC’s Blunt Playoff Message

Alex Pereira Confirms Major Tracy Cortez Relationship Status Update After Viral Marriage Proposal Clip

Andy Reid Fires Coach In Attempt to Rebuild Staff After Receiving HC Requests For Chiefs’ Coordinators

Who Are the Announcers, Referees, & Sideline Reporters for Ole Miss vs Miami? Everything You Need to Know for Fiesta Bowl

Congratulations Pour In After USA Basketball Announces Female Athlete of the Year

Meet Mario Cristobal’s Wife Jessica: All About Former Miss Florida World Winner and Miami Hurricanes’ HC’s Partner

The last time the Steelers won a playoff matchup was in 2016. While they’ve made postseason appearances four times in the last five years, a win eludes them. And that’s where Tomlin’s chase for Aaron Rodgers comes in. However, the soon-to-be 42-year-old’s Week 10 performance has also raised eyebrows, with speculations about his benching also circulating.

Mike Tomlin rescues Rodgers from mounting doubts

Following the 25–10 loss to the Chargers, Rodgers faced some sharp criticism for what was one of his worst outings in recent memory. Yet, Tomlin was quick to defend his quarterback, brushing off any calls for a benching.

”Sunday night was what it was,” Tomlin said. ”But I have no long-term reservations about his ability to play the position and play the position at a high level for us.”

Looking at the bigger picture, there’s no denying that Rodgers has improved the team as a whole. Whether you look at the team’s camaraderie or their accountability. However, on the field, the offense has sputtered after showing some glimpse of greatness, only adding to the increasing questions around the coach and the veteran QB.

Former Pittsburgh Steelers nose tackle Chris Hoke believes that if Rodgers has multiple games like he did in Los Angeles on Sunday night, the Steelers should bench him for the four-time NFL MVP and the Steelers’ QB2, Mason Rudolph.

Interestingly, though, another former Steeler is siding with the California-born.

Former Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger suggested on his podcast that Sunday was just an off day for the veteran. In fact, he supported him, saying that he has been the glue for this young team and one of the biggest reasons for their 5-4 stand atop the AFC North.

For now, Rodgers will start for the Steelers and Tomlin has remained resolute…

”I’m not lacking confidence,” he repeated. ”We stunk it up. We’ll be back. I’m not trying to frame it in any way. I’m just telling you guys what happened. You guys write the narrative.”

But does it all hide the reality?

The truth is, Rodgers needs to bring out his 4x league MVP caliber and keep his 41-year-old veteran energy away as the team hosts the Cincinnati Bengals for Week 11. At the same time, Tomlin needs to address the loopholes in his offense and avoid relying on the 11th-ranked defense, per PFF, to pull the team out every time they dig themselves into a big hole. The point being, coaches like Mike Tomlin are not readily available to other teams, especially with an active contract. But if the team struggles for yet another year, Art Rooney might get the urge to look in another direction.