Why Ben Roethlisberger might be the best replacement for Mike Tomlin

Recently, articles have circulated around the internet stating that Ben Roethlisberger would like to have a future role with the Steelers organization. What that eventual role could be might be a matter of debate. However, Rothlisberger's name has often come up in speculation as Matt Canada's replacement before the Steelers hired Arthur Smith. Some think he should be a quarterback coach, which makes sense.

However, some have speculated that he might be the sensible replacement for Mike Tomlin at some point. When that might be, it is hard to say. Yet, the bigger question is whether Roethlisberger would be a suitable replacement.

Making a case for Ben Roethlisberger to replace Mike Tomlin

Let's be very transparent here: just because Ben Roethlisberger is one of the top 10 greatest quarterbacks in NFL history does not equate to coaching success. However, he spent 18 years with the Steelers under two head coaches, Bill Cowher, and Mike Tomlin, and he understands what it means to be a member of the Steelers and what it means to win.

If the Steelers want to hire another head coach, we may be looking at 2026. At the end of the 2023 season, Art Rooney put the team on notice that they needed playoff wins, something they have lacked since 2010. So, following Mr. Rooney's edict, Omar Khan did everything he could to give Mike Tomlin the pieces to make that happen, falling short in the wide receiver department.

Despite Khan's efforts, some cracks have begun to surface, which could hinder a playoff run in 2024. That said, there is still plenty of time for the Steelers to right the ship this season. If the Steelers do and they make the right quarterback choice for the 2025 season in Keeping Russell Wilson or Justin Fields, Tomlin could have the postseason success he has been looking for. Yet, a failure to achieve success could force Art Rooney II into the problematic position of replacing Tomlin.

Why Roethlisberger might make a good replacement

The Steelers have never been one of those teams that have led the NFL in selecting quarterbacks who transform the game. All of their coaches have been very defensive-minded coaches who have been behind the offensive curve in the NFL. Chuck Noll was one of the final NFL coaches to begin using the shotgun formation for his quarterback. In part, he was old school and still saw the NFL as it was in the '50s.

While it might work sometimes, playing the game as it was will not lead to much success in the long term. Bill Cowher was similar. He built a strong defense, got himself a Bus for the running game, and for a long time ran his offense with a running quarterback, not a passing quarterback. Then they they drafted Ben Roethlisberger.

Roethlisberger bridged the gap between the old style of defensive football and the era of quarterback gunslingers who could win on the strength of their arms and throw the ball for 400 yards in a game if needed.

Big Ben would probably bring that offense mindset to the team if he ran it as the head coach. He realizes the NFL is not the same as it was decades ago. That said, he also realizes it's a team sport, and you do not go far without a defense strong enough to stop the opposition and give your quarterback more time to win the game, as he did countless times himself. His recent reflection on George Pickens after the Steelers loss to Dallas is a very telling sign of Roethlisberger's potential mindset as a head coach.

To the casual Steelers fan, yes, watching a crushing defense is fun, but seeing the Steelers throw for five touchdowns a game is just as fun. Roethlisberger, it seems, knows that. On the other hand, Mike Tomlin is too complacent to let his defense make big plays and hope his quarterback wins the game. Sooner or later, he will learn that low-scoring games will not bring further franchise success.

Perhaps the Steelers should migrate to an offensive-minded head coach who understands the importance of scoring points in every quarter, like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, or Justin Herbert. In the end, turning to Ben Roethlisberger as a head coach might be a failure, but barring any further postseason success, it might be worth a shot if Mike Tomlin keeps showing up a day late and a dollar short in the playoff department.