PITTSBURGH — Mike Tomlin has a message for any workforce contemplating inquiring with the Steelers about his availability in a possible commerce.
“Save your time,” the top coach mentioned Tuesday in his season-ending information convention.
After the Steelers’ fifth consecutive one-and-done journey to the playoffs, Tomlin’s job standing and future with the group has been a scorching subject of debate and supply of consternation amongst followers. Tomlin, who signed a three-year extension final offseason and simply accomplished his 18th season on the helm, mentioned he understands their frustration.
“I perceive the character of what it’s that we do, the eye and criticism that comes with it,” he mentioned. “As a matter of reality, I embrace it, to be fairly sincere with you. I benefit from the urgency that comes with what I do and what we do.
“I do not make excuses for failure. I personal it, however I additionally really feel like I am succesful and so so long as I am afforded a chance to try this, I’ll proceed, however I actually perceive their frustrations and doubtless extra importantly than that, I share it as a result of that is how I am wired.”
Tomlin expressed his disappointment with the best way the season ended all through his closing information convention, however he admitted that the five-game slide to finish the season, capped with a 28-14 wild-card loss to the Ravens was “soccer justice.”
“I do not view it as misfortune, to be fairly sincere with you,” Tomlin mentioned. “Notably at this stage on this enterprise and recreation, there’s soccer justice. You get what you deserve, and so we’re right here and we’re right here for actually tangible causes. We did not contain in the fitting methods. We did not strike the fitting chords on the proper time, notably down the stretch.”
Tomlin mentioned there can be “adjustments” within the group, however he did not element specifics, saying the postseason debrief was in its infancy. He met along with his gamers as a gaggle Monday and in addition started particular person exit conferences. He additionally met with proprietor Artwork Rooney II and normal supervisor Omar Khan.
“Definitely, there’s change that comes when we do not have the specified final result, and so these are simply the realities of the enterprise,” Tomlin mentioned. “I’d think about there’s going to be some issues that change round right here on loads of ranges, however that is this recreation as I’ve talked about, and so I perceive that. I am open to that basically simply starting the processes of a few of the decision-making that has to transpire.”
Among the many potential adjustments is the make-up of the quarterback room. Each Russell Wilson and Justin Fields are on expiring contracts, and the workforce signed quarterback Skylar Thompson on Tuesday afternoon, Thompson’s company introduced on social media. Thompson, chosen by the Miami Dolphins within the seventh spherical of the 2022 NFL draft, appeared in 10 video games for Miami with three begins over two seasons and had one landing and three interceptions.
Wilson mentioned Monday “the plan” is to be in Pittsburgh in 2025, however he later admitted he hasn’t met with the Steelers but to start these discussions.
Tomlin mentioned he believes each Wilson and Fields might help the Steelers take the subsequent step in attending to the place the group needs to go.
“Simply their professionalism, method to enterprise, their relationship with the sport was an encouragement in that regard,” Tomlin mentioned explaining his perception.
Tomlin additionally mentioned he had perception in Fields, who went 4-2 in six begins to open the season, to be a 17-game starter if Wilson finally opts to depart in free company.
“I believed that the best way that he managed his skilled circumstance was actually spectacular,” Tomlin mentioned. “I believed he introduced an urgency to his day-to-day work no matter his position. I believed he obtained frequently higher inside our system of ball all through the method. I believed the best way he carried out himself makes {that a} reliable thought or thought at this juncture.”
And although he mentioned he does not imagine the group is caught regardless of six playoff losses in eight years, Tomlin additionally did not exit of his strategy to provide hope and optimism in regards to the future.
“I am actually disillusioned that I am not working to organize to play this week,” he mentioned. “And I’ve actually felt that in recent times, however caught is sort of a helpless feeling, and I do not know that I really feel helpless.”
He added: “I do not know that I am able to be overly optimistic or promote optimism to you both. I am simply acknowledging what transpired and what has to occur and what’s starting to occur and acknowledging the complexity and the quantity of labor that is forward of us. Definitely really feel succesful, however undoubtedly do not feel within the temper for optimism or the promoting of optimism. I do not know that that is applicable. It’s disappointing to not be working and in order that’s the place we’re.”
