The Steelers are in the market for a new General Manager, but who stands to benefit the most from the hiring?
With the retirement of long-time General Manager, Kevin Colbert, the Steeles are in a position we have not been in for over two decades, which is this: We need to find a new GM. While there are widespread reports about who the Steelers have interviewed, I think one thing is abundantly clear.
At least to me, what is almost a foregone conclusion is that Mike Tomlin is the one who stands to benefit the most from the hiring of a new General Manager, particularly if the new GM is an inside hire. Let me be clear, I don’t think it’s necessarily a bad thing if Tomlin is the one who benefits the most.
Let’s assume for a minute that the new Steelers GM will be someone from outside the organization. If that scenario comes to fruition, I still think Tomlin will be ‘in the catbird seat’ for various reasons which we will discuss shortly. Suffice to say, regardless of what transpires, Tomlin’s influence may expand beyond that of the Head Coach.
The Steelers new General Manager may ‘play second fiddle to’ Tomlin
As I stated earlier in the discussion, the fact that Tomlin may see his influence expand beyond that of the Head Coach is not a bad thing. Here’s why: Since 2007, we have had one Head Coach who has guided the franchise to success, albeit only one Super Bowl championship.
While other organizations have had significant turnover in the Head Coach position, we have not. The Steelers have never had a losing season under Tomlin. That’s a pretty darn impressive track record, one that has allowed Tomlin to earn the trust and respect of Steelers senior management.
I seriously doubt Tomlin will ‘take a back seat’ to whomever the new Steelers General Manager ends up being, but if the new GM is an inside hire, say Brandon Hunt, Pro Scouting Coordinator, or Omar Khan, Vice President of Football & Business Administration, Tomlin will almost assuredly wield more power than he may have when Colbert was the GM.
Why would Tomlin wield more power in the above-mentioned scenario? By default, he would be the veteran of the group, so to speak. Honestly, a first-time GM would be wise to embrace whatever counsel Tomlin provides. I think that makes good business sense.
Let’s assume that the Steelers decide to go with an outside hire. That person would need to learn the ‘Steelers way’ of doing business. Who better to learn from than Tomlin, who will be entering his fifteenth season as the Head Coach?
Look at it this way, Tomlin has never had a losing season as the Head Coach of the Steelers, has guided the team through some rough patches, and has earned the respect of the players, the coaches, and our previous GM.
I think any GM, new to the position or new to the Steelers, would embrace that kind of consistency and would welcome input. How much input remains to be seen. Will the new GM and Tomlin be as involved in the NFL Combine and the NFL draft as he and Colbert were? I would assume so, but I also think the new GM would want to make their own mark on things.
Could that lead to some ‘head butting’? I suppose it could, but I have no doubt that Tomlin would be able to work well with whomever the new GM will be. Honestly, I think the real test will come when the 2023 draft rolls around. Until then, it will be interesting to see how things unfold.