Tomlin’s Star Dims

Tomlin has a 131-71-1 record with the Steelers but appears to have lost his locker room

Bill Belichick, Andy Reid and Sean McVay are known for game plans and schemes, X’s and O’s. Known for outsmarting the best minds in the NFL. Mike Tomlin is...not.

Tomlin has led Pittsburgh for 12 seasons, with a Super Bowl victory in 2009 and a 65% winning percentage as Head Coach. But Tomlin comes up short when it comes to game planning. His perceived strength is managing the locker room and instilling a culture.

If this is true, Tomlin has led his Steelers locker room astray. Star running back Le’Veon Bell chose to sit out the entire 2018 season and forgo $14 million. He signed with the New York Jets last week. 

Also last season, star wide receiver Antonio Brown got into a practice field altercation with star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger prior to a pivotal Week 17 game. Brown skipped the game and the Steelers skipped the playoffs. Brown was traded to the Oakland Raiders last week for two mid-round draft picks.

Now Tomlin will be asked to win with less talent than he’s had in his entire career. And with the resurgent Cleveland Browns as clear favorites in Tomlin’s often maligned AFC North.

The Stars are no longer aligned in Pittsburgh. They have taken their talents across the NFL. And as bright as they once shined for the Steelers, their Star Head Coach is losing his glow too.

Jeremy Garrison is the co-founder and co-host of The Sports Hangover Podcast, the flagship show on the Hangover Network. Follow Jeremy on Twitter @JeremyGarrison.