Mike Tomlin Confirms “Change” at Steelers as Russell Wilson Clears Air on Future in Pittsburgh

Steelers Nation, your head coach, Mike Tomlin, isn’t going anywhere. But after a five-game losing streak, he surely needs to get back to his desk and analyze what went wrong. It looks like the team is good enough to make it to the postseason but never actually win and it is this very failure to deliver postseason success yet again that has prompted the 18th-year head coach to make some hard decisions.

During a press conference on Jan. 14, the HC stated:

“Certainly, there’s change that comes with this time of the year. Certainly, there’s change that comes when we don’t have the desired outcome and. So those are just realities of the business. I’d imagine there’s going to be some things that change around here on a lot of levels… I understand that I’m open to that, really just beginning the processes of some of the decision making that has to transpire.

“I met with Art Rooney yesterday. I met with Omar [Khan] yesterday and those are just the very beginning of multiple conversations in terms of how we wrap a bow around some of the lessons learned, analyze some of the decisions made, personnel, strategy, etc.”

Obviously, this led fans to think about the team’s quarterbacks: Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Both athletes are set for free agency this offseason. And while Tomlin doesn’t mind bringing them both back, he didn’t confirm anything.

Further in the press conference, Tomlin stated: “We don’t have a quarterback on the contract, so we got some major discussions there. It was a really good experience with the three quarterbacks that were on our roster this year. Individually and collectively, we certainly are open to considering those guys but there’s a lot of work ahead of us. And the major work obviously starts first and foremost with just understanding what our options are.”

Tomlin, who has been with the team for a long time, won two AFC titles in his initial four years and even won the Lombardi Trophy in just his second season. But he couldn’t keep the same momentum. Since then, his side has won just three playoff games (their last one was in the 2016 season when they defeated the Chiefs in their AFC divisional round 18-16).

Now, witnessing the lack of playoff success in recent years led the Steelers Nation to urge their team to move on from Tomlin.

However, Tomlin has set the record straight. He isn’t going anywhere; save your time with the rumors. It seems the Steelers’ head coach, whose contract runs till 2027, isn’t ready to leave Pittsburgh. And you know what? His nine-year Pro Bowler QB Russell Wilson is also not interested in moving on after his first season in black and gold.

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Yaaa yaaa yaaa heard this same song for 18 yrs.

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Russell Wilson expresses his desire to continue playing in Pittsburgh

When Tomlin decided to drop Justin Fields in favor of his returning veteran QB Russell Wilson, everyone thought that decision would blow up in his face. But in his first seven starts, Wilson led the Steelers to six wins, thereby shutting down the critics. However, those same conversations yet again started to swirl around when the Steelers started losing games. And that streak never ended, with Wilson’s offense getting completely obliterated in Baltimore. They only mustered 280 total yards compared to the Ravens’ 464.

Now, despite all the disappointments of how his first season in Pittsburgh ended. Wilson still expressed his desire to come back and continue leading the Steelers next season:

“That’s the plan. Obviously, I love it here and everything else. I think we have a great football team. Obviously, it didn’t end the way we wanted it to, and I think there’s a lot more to do.”

Regardless, the QB also stated that he has yet to meet the front office to discuss his potential future with the team. “I think they’ve known that I’ve always wanted to be here and play here, but it is also a process.”

Sure, Tomlin hasn’t ruled out the option of keeping all of them beyond this season, but it will be interesting to see what takes place, eventually. However, reprising his starting role over Justin Fields is a different question altogether. As for now, only time will tell what changes are going to occur in Pittsburgh. What do you think?