The Steelers were expected to enter a rebuilding season and came within one Jets win of reaching the playoffs. That is why Mike Tomlin is receiving support for NFL Coach of the Year.
NFL analyst Mike Lombardi laid out the case for Tomlin Tuesday on the “PM Team,” saying the Steelers coach deserves significant credit for engineering a remarkable second-half turnaround. After starting 2-6, the Steelers finished 9-8. Tomlin has still never presided over a losing campaign.
mike Lombardi says Tomlin should win coach of the year
“Where Mike started with this team, where the offensive line was broken, it really wasn’t playing well early in the year,” said Lombardi. “They lose by 12 to the Browns in Cleveland on a Thursday night, come back and give up 14 points in the fourth quarter to the Jets, and then get blown out by Buffalo. What he’s been able to do with this team as the season progressed in the second half in the bye is a tribute to his ability to improve the team. That’s what you want with your coach.”
While some Steelers fans are rightfully upset they’ve now gone six years without a playoff win, they’re in contention every season. As Lombardi says, that can’t be taken for granted.
“People just take for granted it’s so easy to win games,” he said. “But if you’re a Cleveland Browns fan, and you watch Mike Tomlin win nine games, and you had more talent on your team than he has. You had stability at the running back, the offensive line, your defense has an elite pass rusher who stayed healthy all year. And you win seven? I think you’ve gotta ask yourself, ‘What’s going on here?’”
There were other surprise teams in the NFL: Doug Peterson coached the Jaguars to the playoffs following a dismal three-win campaign, and Dan Campbell’s Lions almost reached the postseason as well.
But Lombardi says they had more talent. Tomlin was working with a rookie quarterback and a roster influx.
“I think Doug Pederson’s team at 2-6 should’ve been a lot better than 2-6,” he said. “I think Doug Peterson tried to go for it at fourth down, at a rapid rate that cost his team some early games. He had the most talented team in the AFC South — not close. His team is more talented than Mike Tomlin’s team. Mike Tomlin’s team is going through a rebuilding year.”
Next season, Tomlin won’t have that excuse. But now the Steelers have a good place to start.