A First-Year Steelers Player Speaks Out Against Coach Mike Tomlin

January 2, 2023 minhhanh

A first-year Pittsburgh Steelers player shared his thoughts on head coach Mike Tomlin.

A Steelers rookie speaks out against coach Mike Tomlin

A Steelers rookie speaks out against coach Mike Tomlin

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The Pittsburgh Steelers appeared to be doomed heading into the Week 9 bye. They were defeated by three touchdowns for the second time in four games in Week 8.

At the time, it appeared that the Steelers were on their way to having their worst season in decades. Forget the playoffs; the Steelers needed a miracle to even play meaningful January football.

But the Steelers came out of their bye week a different team, and it’s led to an astonishing second half of the season.

After Week 17, Steelers center Mason Cole couldn’t say enough good things about head coach Mike Tomlin in light of the incredible turnaround.

“What coach Tomlin has created … it is special, man,” Cole said to the media after the Week 17 victory. “We were 2-6 at the bye week, and we are still here.”

The Steelers got the help they needed on January 1 to make their Sunday night game against the Baltimore Ravens count. The Steelers’ 16-13 victory in Baltimore means they will play another crucial game in Week 18 against the Cleveland Browns.

Mason Cole Admires Mike Tomlin

At this point, Tomlin and the Steelers fan base have a love-hate relationship. A group of Steelers fans has long argued that Tomlin hasn’t won enough championships and playoff games to merit the accolades bestowed upon him by the media and other fans.

When the Steelers began 2022 with a 2-6 record, those fans grew in number and volume.

But now that the Steelers have won six of their last eight games, the voices in support of Tomlin have risen once more.

Former players’ voices were especially loud on Twitter after the Steelers defeated the Ravens.

Cole’s remarks about Tomlin are noteworthy given that he is only in his first season with the Steelers. He has worked with other NFL teams and head coaches.

Cole started for the Arizona Cardinals in 2020, who started 5-2 but finished 8-8.

Last season, he was a member of the Minnesota Vikings, who went 2-5 in games decided by four points or less under Mike Zimmer. In 2021, the Vikings finished 8-9.

The Steelers could also finish with eight wins in 2022, but Tomlin’s leadership has been on full display in rallying the team behind a rookie quarterback and going 6-2 since the bye week.

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The Steelers’ offensive line performs admirably against the Ravens

Cole and the offensive line deserve a lot of credit for Pittsburgh’s turnaround this season.

Before the bye week, the Steelers averaged 94.9 rushing yards per game and 4.0 yards per carry. However, they have averaged 146 rushing yards per game and 4.3 yards per rush since then.

Cole and his four offensive line teammates have started every game this season. That unit has recently begun to gel, and the Pittsburgh offensive line arguably had its best game of the season in Baltimore.

The Steelers rushed for 198 yards, their second-highest total in a game this season. Rookie Kenny Pickett was sacked twice, but he had clean pockets late in the fourth quarter to deliver the game-winning drive.

That offensive line is still far from elite, but it has come a long way since last year, and the future looks promising.

To keep their playoff hopes alive, the Steelers will need another strong performance from their offensive line in Week 18.