TRADE RUMORS SWIRL AROUND TOMLIN
It was a quiet week for Mike Tomlin. His Steelers went across the country and pulled off a stunning win against the Los Angeles Chargers last Sunday night with third-string quarterback Duck Hodges, temporarily, at least, quieting many of even his harshest critics. He also wasn’t linked to any NFL coaching jobs even though it appears Atlanta and Dallas soon could join Washington with an opening.
Sunday should be a peaceful day of rest for Tomlin.
The speculation that had Tomlin going to Washington after this season died quickly, as it should have. Tomlin didn’t end it. He gave some evasive answer about worrying about going to Los Angeles and trying to win with his third quarterback when asked about it. Common sense ended the speculation. Tomlin’s contract with the Steelers runs through the 2021 season with what’s believed to be a team option for 2022. A source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter there is little chance Washington would be able to come up with a trade offer for Tomlin, saying, “That is so far-fetched. It’s so far out there. It would have to be a deal that the league never has seen before and would change the way business is done in football.”
I believe the original report that has Tomlin on top of Washington owner Daniel Snyder’s wish list. I think Tomlin would be on top for every owner with an opening and maybe a few without an opening. He is thought of much better around the NFL than he is in Pittsburgh. Keeping the Steelers competitive without Ben Roethlisberger since halftime of the second game and getting that win in Los Angeles with Hodges are two examples of some of his finest work.
I also believe the Steelers have zero interest in letting Tomlin go no matter how this season plays out. Management knows it has a strong coach and wants to keep him. It believes stability is the key to success.
Most significantly, I believe Tomlin wants to stay. I don’t think he would leave even if he could get out of his contract. He knows he has it good here despite dealing with more scrutiny and more vicious criticism than most coaches do. The grass isn’t always greener elsewhere, as they like to say.
I’ve heard the reasons why Tomlin might go. That he somehow feels slighted by owner Art Rooney II because he received just a oneyear contract extension in July instead of his usual two years. That he knows Kevin Colbert — the only general manager he has had here — could retire after this season and he doesn’t want to work with a new man. That he knows Roethlisberger is near the finish line of his Hall of Fame career and he doesn’t want to break in a new, lesser quarterback. That he could get more money and more power elsewhere.
But the reasons for Tomlin to stay trump those reasons. He works for a man, Rooney, who appears to be the same patient, supportive, loyal owner that his father, Dan, was. He has never struck me as being money-driven, although he is extremely well-compensated by the Steelers. He has plenty of power here working with Colbert — I don’t think the team would have traded up to get Devin Bush in the April draft or traded its 2020 No. 1 pick for Minkah Fitzpatrick in September without his complete approval — and figures to have plenty of say in the hiring of the next general manager. He will be losing the great Roethlisberger soon, but he is building what could be a pretty good defense for seasons to come around Bush, Fitzpatrick and T.J. Watt. And who knows? Maybe Mason Rudolph will turn out to be a guy who can win for him.
Of course, maybe I’m just hoping Tomlin stays for a long time.
I can’t give him a pass for the Steelers’ horrible noshow in the season opener at New England. That was inexcusable. But it amazes me his 2-4 team still has a chance to make the playoffs without Roethlisberger, although the road got a lot harder after Stephon Tuitt went down for the season with a pectoral injury early in the game against the Chargers. It isn’t easy keeping a team together, fighting and believing after crippling injuries to the stars, but that’s one of Tomlin’s strengths. It’s a big reason he’s never had a losing season.
If the Steelers’ performance in Los Angeles is any indication, Tomlin won’t have a losing season this season.
No wonder Washington’s Snyder wants Tomlin so badly.