The Steelers are at a crossroads in the 2019 season...or are they?

4 of 4

PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 15: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on during warmups before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Heinz Field on September 15, 2019, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

A career-defining season for Coach Tomlin or is it?

Since 2007, Coach Tomlin has been the head coach for the Steelers. With Ben on injured reserve, with a new quarterback in Rudolph, and having just pulled off an almost unprecedented trade, Coach Tomlin is at crossroads, right? Maybe not.

Since 1969, the Steelers have had three head coaches. While I don’t think the Steelers have unlimited patience, we have enough patience to allow Coach Tomlin the opportunity to weather this storm. Unless we go winless this season, I’m sure there will be little reason to make a change at head coach.

I do firmly believe; however, that the Steelers front office is telling Coach Tomlin that the expectation is to have a winning season, despite losing Ben. You don’t trade a first-round pick for a player unless you believe the season is salvageable.

It will be incumbent on Coach Tomlin to assure the adversity the Steelers are currently facing defines neither them nor the season. This season will be the most significant test of Coach Tomlin’s abilities as a head coach, to be sure.

Next. Steelers ’10 former 1st round picks on defense’ is very misleading. dark

So are the Steelers at a crossroads or not? That answer depends on your perspective. Yes, we are winless; yes, we lost our franchise quarterback for the season, and yes, we traded our first-round pick next year; however, there are 14 games left in the season; Rudolph may be the heir apparent, and we traded a first-round pick for a former first-round pick.

It’s not all peaches and cream, but it’s not the end of the world either. As long as hope is alive, the Steelers are alive.

Home/Steelers News