Steelers Now
One NFL analyst isn’t so sure former head coach Mike Tomlin will continue rooting for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Head coach Mike Tomlin decided to part ways with the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason after 19 years of coaching the team. However, NFL analyst Dave Dameshek doesn’t think Steelers fans should expect Tomlin to join them in their team spirit.
“Mike Tomlin doesn’t want the Steelers to go on a postseason run this season,” Dameshek said on his Football America podcast. “I’m surprised so many of you, especially Steelers fans, disagree with this, ‘He’s still friendly with people in the building.’ Do you hope your pals have fun on the road trip you weren’t invited on? Tomlin just cleaned out his office a few days ago. This is a guy whose career has been devoted to organized competition, but he didn’t win when it mattered most over the last decade. You think he now wants to see his team show that they’re better without him? For Steelers fans, I hope brighter days are ahead come January and February. Just don’t expect Tomlin to be there waving a Terrible Towel if they are.”
Tomlin is starting a new role, joining the Football Night in America broadcast team for NBC Sports this fall, so he can’t necessarily express any biased opinions he may have.
However, it would be surprising to see Tomlin actively root against the Steelers, even with a new man in charge in Mike McCarthy.
Tomlin’s legacy with the Steelers is still a great one. He left Pittsburgh without ever having a losing season, and while he struggled to find success in the postseason late in his coaching career, he still helped the Steelers make it to two Super Bowls (XLIII and XLV) and hoist one Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Steelers fans who were happy to see Tomlin’s departure will also soon find out if the grass greener on the other side with McCarthy.
McCarthy has an impressive resume, with a 174-112-2 career record and .608 winning percentage, but he has struggled in the postseason as of late, too, going 1-3 in the playoffs with the Dallas Cowboys.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Analyst Questions Mike Tomlin’s Support of Steelers
