Will Art Rooney make a coaching change?

The Steelers are rightly proud of the fact that they have only employed three coaches since 1969. Having a team that consistently competes makes it a lot easier.

Case in point – the Steelers also had three head coaches from 1964 through 1968.

Eight years since the team last won a playoff game, the current question for owner Art Rooney II is not about regular-season contention but about postseason viability.

Last year, Rooney made it clear that he was getting impatient when it came to not being able to compete in January.

“We’ve had enough of thisRooney said in his end-of-season press conference regarding the team’s chronic post-season futility. “It’s time to get some wins; it’s time to take those next steps.”

One year later, a fifth straight loss came to end the season in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.

At the same time, Rooney said: “The players still respond to Mike, and that is No. 1.” “He still has the basic characteristics that we saw when we appointed him. He can attract the attention of a group of 20-year-olds for an entire season and keep them in the fray all the way.

Compare this comment with This note By Kirk Herbstreit Last night, during a sluggish first half that led to the Steelers digging themselves into a hole they were too deep to climb out of. “Where the hell is the fighting??” Herbstreit said. “This is the Pittsburgh Steelers. There is nothing. They’re just going through the motions.”

Rooney also said this last year: “So, I still feel good about Mike. Obviously if I didn’t do that, we would make a change, but if we didn’t think Mike could lead us to the championship, he wouldn’t be here, and that’s why he’s here.”

What does Ronnie think of last night’s efforts? Ten years ago, John Elway, then the Broncos’ general manager, fired coach John Fox one year short of a Super Bowl berth because Elway believed the team wasn’t doing it.Go out kicking and screaming“From the postseason in 2014.

Last night, was there kicking and/or screaming from the Steelers? Who is Tomlin? He was surprisingly calm when speaking to Kylie Hartung on his way to the locker room after a lackluster first half. And to him Press conference after the match He was long on indifference and short on characteristic phrases.

I’m a big believer in Tomlin. If Rooney makes a change, Tomlin will rocket to the top of the list of teams with open spots that are willing to miss out on the playoffs on a consistent basis, since they can’t get there consistently.

Ultimately, it’s Ronnie’s call to see if 18 is enough. He has to believe he can get someone as good or better than Tomlin, which won’t be easy. Especially with former Steelers pick Mike Vrabel now the new head coach of the Patriots.

To their credit, the Steelers have done very well in their previous three searches, even if they were on the verge of hiring Ross Grimm for Tomlin. But it would be a calculated risk.

Making that risk a little easier is the fact that the segment of Steelers fans who demand change after every two-game losing streak seems to be getting more company among the team’s more patient customers. Although few expected the Steelers to reach the playoffs in 2024 before the season began, another quick exit occurred.

It will be up to Rooney to decide what happens next.