Once touted as a generational coach for leading the Steelers to a Super Bowl title in just his second season in the NFL, Mike Tomlin’s value has plummeted to the lowest it has ever been in Pittsburgh. See, Tomlin has never led his team to a losing record while continuing to keep them in the hunt for playoffs. But is that enough for the Steelers Nation to be content with? Because what happened in Baltimore on Saturday was nothing less than an utter embarrassment.

On the day when the Steelers were supposed to show character after losing four in a row to enter the postseason. Let’s just say they were simply annihilated and humiliated by their divisional rivals. And that led to ex-NFL er Chris Canty questioning whether the Steelers players have given up on Mike Tomlin. Watching their game on Saturday, Canty thought the Steelers were tapping out. He pointed out how Cam Heyward and TJ Watt, two of Tomlin’s most trusted defensive players, were tapping out for respective injuries.

So, Canty, on ESPN Radio, questioned the Steelers mentality in big games under Tomlin. And whether or not they are ready to take that next leap forward: “I gotta question whether or not this team under Mike Tomlin is capable of going any further.” Heyward was evaluated for a concussion when he tried to sack Lamar Jackson in the first half. But moments after that, he was found having issues playing his natural game. This forced the Steelers’ defensive lineman to leave the game and didn’t come back for the second half. Now, in the third quarter, Watt followed Heyward to the sidelines because of an issue he felt on his arm.

See, the Steelers were already trailing by double digits, and having their best defensive players wouldn’t have made much difference. But Watt and Heyward’s departures in their respective quarters painted a grim picture of Tomlin’s future after this season. Like, weren’t they ready to put their bodies on the line fighting for Tomlin? It didn’t seem so. So, Chris Canty has taken matters into his own hands to send a strong message to the Steelers front office. The former Ravens defensive lineman feels it’s time for the Steelers to move on from their head coach to taste any success in the future.

Will the Steelers really move on from Mike Tomlin?

The Steelers aren’t really that franchise that likes to change their head coach. Since the days of Chuck Noll in 1969, they have had only three head coaches, including Tomlin. Even Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette believes it will continue to stick behind Mike Tomlin despite their lack of playoff victories. However, Canty on ESPN Radio has urged the Steelers front office to take that hard decision and do what’s right for them to improve, “It’s time for Mike Tomlin to go somewhere else, it’s time for the Pittsburgh Steelers to turn to someone else in order to lead their franchise.”

For the last 9 years, the Steelers haven’t progressed deep into the playoffs. They have essentially turned into a one-and-done playoff team. And they ended this season, which was once 10-3, ended with five straight losses. Tomlin, after the humiliation in Baltimore, said, “We just weren’t good enough. To be quite honest with you.” Well, good enough isn’t even the word that Tomlin should be using after overseeing the Steelers’ capitulation in the playoffs.

The Steelers didn’t even look like a team that had the guts to play in the postseason. Baltimore annihilated them not only in the running game ( 299-29) but also in the overall possession of football (39:33 to 20:27). And you know what makes Tomlin’s playoff record more astonishing? Since the last time he had lasted victory, 28 other head coaches have won a playoff game. Yeah, that’s right.

The likes of Dan Campbell, Mike Vrabel, Nick Sirianni, and Doug Peterson have all left behind Tomlin. So, the decision rests on the hand of the Steelers management. Are they ready to take that risk and move from the stability that Tomlin offers? Or do they want to keep giving him chances to prove his worth in Pittsburgh? What do you think will happen?