The Pittsburgh Steelers' former running back Jerome Bettis knows a thing or two about successful offenses. Bettis spent 13 years in the NFL, most with the Steelers. During his career, he was the Offensive Rookie of the Year, Walter Payton Man of the Year, six-time Pro Bowler, Super Bowl XL Champion and now a Hall of Fame member.
Photo Credit: Gene J. Puskar | AP / Pittsburgh Steelers Jerome Bettis
As we are nearing Super Bowl weekend lots of former players are in Arizona for the game and are giving interviews. Bettis appeared on The Herd with Colin Cowherd and discussed what he thinks of the team's current offense.
The Steelers entered a new era in 2022 after their future HOF quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, retired from the league. The team drafted a young rookie they hoped would be the future face of the franchise, Kenny Pickett. They also signed veteran journeyman QB Mitch Trubisky hoping that he would be able to mind the helm while Pickett was getting his sea legs.
Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / Steeler Nation (Twitter: JSKO_PHOTO) / Steelers starting quarterback Mitch Trubisky (#10) at 2022 training camp in Latrobe, PA |
Unfortunately, Trubisky was not successful and he was benched in favor of the rookie during Week 4. While the offense improved greatly as the season went on, this has once again led to questions about head coach Mike Tomlin's ability to lead the team in a changing NFL. There is no sharper divide in Steeler Nation, than the one between the pro-Tomlin and the anti-Tomlin group.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach, Mike Tomlin looks on during training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA in July 2022. | Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO
Those who are pro-Tomlin cite his Super Bowl victory, his 16 consecutive winning seasons and the way he inspired loyalty and respect from all who know him. Players both present and former applaud Tomlin's ability to reach players and lead them.
Then there is the anti-Tomlin crowd. They acknowledge 16 winning seasons but say that it's not enough. Tomlin is blamed for the shortcomings of offensive coordinator Matt Canada. They note that the goal is winning Super Bowls not winning seasons and Tomlin doesn't have enough of those to be great.
Tomlin, despite being relatively young, is part of the way things used to be in the NFL. We have all heard, "defense wins championships." But that is not necessarily true anymore. Now more and more coaches are offensive-minded. If you look at the final four teams in the playoffs this year, they all featured offensive-minded coaches.
Bettis Questioning The Steelers Offense
This led Cowherd to raise the question to Bettis.
"I like Mike Tomlin he's a great leader and motivator but like Sean McDermott can't get the O-Line right, five years now. I do worry that defensive coaches don't have the sensibility of offense. I don't love the OC, I don't love the O-Line, I don't love the offensive identity. Is it a fair criticism of Mike (Tomlin) that he is a defensive mind, a defensive culture and the league has pivoted strongly and that he has made mistakes or missed on offense."
Photo Credit: The Herd With Colin Cowherd
Bettis nodded in agreement with Cowherd.
"100 percent I believe that is the case, because when you look at the team you say, 'well what's the strength of this team?' And for 90 percent of the NFL, the strength of your football team is going to be your offense. We look at this team and they've got the pieces to be special, they've got a great tight end, and they got two wide receivers, they got a quarterback. But the question mark is what type of offense are we? And it's been a question mark for the last three years."
Bettis goes on to say that he was pleased with the last few weeks of the season and the way the team came back. He was impressed with Pickett and the poise he showed. He said for a QB to do that they have to be special.
Do you agree with Bettis? Do you think there is a place in the NFL for a defensive-minded coach like Tomlin? Do you think Tomlin has what it takes to win another Super Bowl? Comment below!
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