The Steelers are 2-4, and it has been a disappointing season overall. Here’s why I think the Steelers shouldn’t fire any of their major coaches.
The focus of this article is to talk about why Mike Tomlin, Keith Butler, and Randy Fichtner should not be fired. This is ironic as the Steelers are 2-4, and that is a disappointing season for the Steelers.
You would think one primary coach would be fired, and although that might happen, I don’t think any of them deserve it. You have to look at each coach on a case by case basis to realize why not one of them should be fired.
Mike Tomlin should not be fired
There are a couple of reasons why Mike Tomlin should not be fired or traded to the Redskins, as the rumor suggests. The first reason is that the Steelers have a smart policy in dealing with their head coaches. The Steelers front office tenures their coaches
The reason it is smart to tenure your head coaches is it gives them the flexibility to take risks and make mistakes. Mike Tomlin is one of the most aggressive coaches in the league, and it is because his job is safe. He is able to learn on the job and learn from his mistakes.
The other reason Tomlin should not be fired is that he is a winner. He has not had a losing season in his Steelers career. His worst record has been 8-8. If the Steelers have a losing season this year, then it will be the first one in a while. Every coach deserves to have a bad year.
Keith Butler should not be fired
I think at the beginning of the season, Keith Butler was on the hot seat. Now I think he is the safest coach on the team. The defense has carried this team and kept them in games. The Steeler’s defense is among the league leaders in takeaways as well. According to Pro Football Reference, the Steelers have 12 fumble recoveries in six games.
I think Butler has done a good job as a defensive coordinator, even if he is taking on a reduced role. The fact that he is taking direction from Tomlin is a sign that things are improving on the defensive side of the ball.
Things might get worse with Stephon Tuitt injured, but that isn’t a reason to give up on the direction of this defense. Our own, Tommy Jaggi, wrote about how this is a major blow.
The investment of first-round picks on the defensive side of the ball is paying off this season, and so Butler’s job is safe. If there is any downgrade he deserves, it is to have someone replace him as the outside linebackers coach; so that he can work on the defensive scheme.
Randy Fichtner should not be fired as well
Randy Fichtner is not to blame for the problems on the offense. The Steelers have had to rely on second and third-string quarterbacks since week two. It is hard for any offense to be great when that happens.
The Offense is struggling, but I think it might be time that the Steelers invest some draft picks in the offense. I would like to see the Steelers draft another receiver on day two of the draft, and I would like to see the Steelers get younger on the offensive line.
This team has prioritized the defense in recent drafts, and I agree with the reasoning, but now it is Fichtner and the offense’s turn to get some of the prioritization.
Conclusion
I know I am ruffling some feathers when I say this, but it is true that it isn’t the coach’s fault for the Steeler’s struggles in 2019. I think injuries, especially to Ben Roethlisberger, are the reason this team is 2-4.
Being patient with coaches helps the team in the long-term. It allows the coaches to learn on the job. I think a lot of organizations keep their coaches on a tight leash, and it doesn’t give them the time to develop the talent that fits their scheme and the ability to learn on the job.