Open letter to Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin on changes for 2022

The Steelers will certainly undergo changes in the 2022 NFL season. 

Now that the 2021 season has concluded rather unceremoniously for the Steelers, I feel compelled to pen a letter to Head Coach Mike Tomlin for a few reasons.  First, it is cathartic for me to pen such a letter.

Second, I believe that changes need to be made for the 2022 season so that we are not in this position following the 2022 season.  Lastly, I believe it’s important for ‘Coach T’ to hear from the fan base. So, here we go.

Steelers must make major changes

Dear Coach Tomlin,

First, let me state that I realize my opinions mean nothing in the overall scheme of things and that my opinions are that of a fan and not of an NFL player or that of an NFL coach.  With that said, I have been a fan for forty-four-plus years.  I do not consider myself to be a casual fan.

I actually know what I am looking at when I watch not only Steelers games, but football games in general.  Obviously, when I say I know what I am looking at, I am not privy to play calls, but I understand offensive and defensive concepts.

Having listened to your post-season press conference, I am encouraged by the fact you acknowledged your dissatisfaction with the manner in which the season ended, with the inconsistency of the offense, and with the inability of the defense to stop the run.

As you stated, the goal every season for the Steelers is to win the Lombardi Trophy.  Having grown up with the ’70s teams, I was accustomed to not only getting into the playoffs but winning the Super Bowl.

Sadly, that is something we fans have not experienced since the end of the 2008 season.  Entering the 2021 season, I was optimistic that our new offensive coordinator would breathe new life into what was an anemic offense in 2020.

Sadly, again, I was mistaken.  I think it’s fair to say the offense regressed so much so that I inferred a less than ‘ringing endorsement’ of Matt Canada when you said when you have red paint, you paint the barn red.

In other words, call plays that accentuate the strengths of your players.  I don’t think we played to our strengths and I dare say that you may believe the same, but that is obviously speculation on my part.

Defensively, we couldn’t stop the run, as you stated.  To say that is uncharacteristic of a Steelers defense would be an understatement.  I can’t help to wonder how many games we would have won had we been able to stop the run.  I can’t help but think that you may have pondered the same.

When you stated that you were not resistant to change, that was an encouraging statement.  I am left to wonder what that change will resemble.  As with any off-season, there will be personnel changes. Players will be drafted and free agents will be signed.

Hopefully, we will be able to retain our own pending free agents.  As far as the draft is concerned, I think I speak for all fans when I say this:  We need to ‘hit’ on every draft pick.  We have too many positions that need to be upgraded to not have an excellent draft.

In conclusion, thank you for another winning season.  While that is impressive, we need to find a way to ‘get across the finish line’ and bring another Lombardi Trophy to the Steelers organization. The only way that will happen is if changes are made.

Change is not a bad thing.  Change is necessary when you get bounced in the first round of the playoffs.  Please make whatever changes you need to make to assure that we fans retain our sanity and our health.