There’s either a complete overhaul of firings coming or the Pittsburgh Steelers are using the small pieces to the puzzle to distract fans from not firing the big ones.
By now, people expected Joey Porter and Keith Butler to be gone. Porter was the first Steelers coach to be fired, leaving the linebacker coach open to be filled. A spot many believed Keith Butler could take back over after a not-so-impressive run as defensive coordinator.
It hasn’t happened yet, though. Butler remains the DC in Pittsburgh and only one more coaching firing has occurred – running back coach James Saxon.
There’s plenty of concern and frustration within the locker room and fanbase about this change. Saxon has developed Le’Veon Bell into the All-Pro runner he is today, turned James Conner’s first starting season into a Pro Bowl year and when called upon, had Jaylen Samuels looking like he deserved to split carries once Conner returned from injury.
To say Saxon deserved to be fired is utterly wrong. The Steelers haven’t released a reason for moving on from their running back coach, but . you have to assume it’s because his contract expired, and therefore, made him an easy way out.
If Pittsburgh didn’t make coaching changes this offseason the fanbase would lose their mind. No one has faith in this coaching staff anymore, at least in certain parts. For the first time in years, it’s a demand from the audience to make changes and the Steelers are doing so.
It’s what changes they have made that should concern us. Joey Porter was the right move. The linebacker talent hasn’t been top of the line, but it’s been better than what he has done with them. Porter should’ve been fired.
Saxon should not have been. He’s done nothing but produce some of the NFL’s best rushers time and time again. Even when he didn’t have his stars, he’s made Jaylen Samuels and DeAngelo Williams look like 1,000 yard rushers. Granted he has one of the league’s best offensive lines, but it takes more than good holes to be a stud running back in this league.
It leaves the question, are the Steelers really making moves or just making the easy ones?
The two coaches to be fired weren’t really “fired.” Both contracts expired after the 2018 season and were not renewed by the team. That’s a pretty easy way to let someone go instead of dealing with their contract and paying a coach that’s no longer on the roster.
Pittsburgh cannot turn this into a distraction to hide that they won’t do anything with Keith Butler or Danny Smith. Those are the moves that need to be made. The pieces within the defense should be considered, and Porter was an easy name to pull, but without at least Butler gone this team has gotten no better.
It’s all speculation, but concerning speculation. Fans don’t want to see another 2018, and the only way to rid themselves of that is by making change; significant change.
Bigger names to be fired before anyone can believe it isn’t a show to decrease the tension between team and fan. Until then, the level of unease within the fanbase remains the same.