It was shocking news when the Pittsburgh Steelers announced that their head coach of 19 years would be stepping down. Mike Tomlin has soured his reputation in Pittsburgh since 2017, following a seven-game blowout loss streak in the playoffs. Other than that, he has also been a historically good coach. He never had a losing season and won a Super Bowl early in his tenure.
Time has a way of reshaping perspectives, and Tomlin appears poised to regain his reverence as the years pass.
It's unknown if Tomlin will go back to coaching at some point, but for now, it seems like he will take a break from the profession. He built a roster filled with players who became cornerstones of the era. They are known for coming up short in the biggest moments, just like their former head coach.
Perhaps it's time to rebuild and form a new direction for the Steelers, just like many fans have called for. Losing is something this team has grown weary of under Tomlin, but it might be their only shot to get back to a Super Bowl. Some of the team’s aging stars could create new opportunities moving forward. It might be time to witness those cornerstones move on to another club.
Pittsburgh Steelers could witness two defensive stars follow Mike Tomlin out the door
T.J. Watt
Pittsburgh just re-signed T.J. Watt to a massive contract extension last year, but it might be time to consider trading him.
The biggest issue would be whether another team would be willing to make a gamble in a potential deal. Watt's contract isn't getting any easier to manage as his age continues to tick up. He is coming off one of the worst statistical seasons of his career, which could lower the trade market.
With Tomlin gone, it's possible that Watt considers asking for a trade. He isn't getting any younger, and his chances of winning a Super Bowl might've just deteriorated. Moving him could be tricky from a salary-cap perspective, but the Steelers should be able to convince another organization to take on his contract. It would be bittersweet, but trading Watt could trigger a complete rebuild.
READ MORE: Steelers playoff loss reignites talk of Mike Tomlin replacements
Cam Heyward
Moving on from Cam Heyward would be difficult for fans to stomach. The long-time legend in Pittsburgh has been fantastic on the field and in the community. He and Tomlin were tied at the hip, and without his head coach with the club, he could consider other opportunities. If he wants to be a Steeler for life, Heyward will likely want a new contract this offseason, which would be a risky option.
If Pittsburgh is serious about possibly rebuilding its team from the ground up, it could consider doing Heyward a favor.
He is closer to retirement than Watt, so making him a cap casualty or trading him could be best for their beloved veteran. It would be a tough situation for both parties, but it might be necessary. If Heyward hopes to win a Super Bowl, his best path may be elsewhere.