Steelers Absolutely Should Make Mike Vrabel Head Coach If Mike Tomlin Steps Away According To Tone Digz

The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in the playoffs once again, with Mike Tomlin at the helm. This makes 17 consecutive seasons without a losing record under his leadership. The Tennessee Titans just fired their head coach Mike Vrabel and the speculation on where he'll coach next has started. Tomlin has been reported to already be part of the Steelers' 2025 roster plans.

However, a recent suggestion by Tone Digz on The Pat McAfee Show has raised an intriguing question. Should the Steelers consider bringing Vrabel back to Pittsburgh if Tomlin decides to step away?

The Steelers 2023 Non-Steeler Hero

Vrabel, the head coach of the Titans, became a hero in the eyes of Steeler Nation after he led his team to an improbable victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. This victory, although seemingly meaningless for the Titans, had a profound impact on the Steelers' postseason dreams. It resulted in the Jaguars being knocked out of contention and the Steelers securing a playoff berth.

Digz, during his regular appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, passionately advocated for the idea of bringing Vrabel to Pittsburgh if Tomlin were to consider stepping away. 

“If Mike Tomlin is thinking about stepping away, why not bring Vrabel home to where he started? He’s Bill Cowher reincarnated. That’s who he is.”

He likened Vrabel to Bill Cowher, the legendary former Steelers head coach who guided the team to a Super Bowl victory. Digz's perspective is that Vrabel embodies the spirit of Cowher and could potentially continue the tradition of success in Pittsburgh.

The idea of Vrabel returning to the Steel City is rooted in his early NFL career as a player. Vrabel's association with the Steelers dates back to the beginning of his professional journey. 

While he didn't achieve statistical prominence during his initial tenure with the team, he was drafted by the Steelers in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft. Although his noteworthy accomplishments came later in his career with the New England Patriots, his initial years as a Steeler provide a nostalgic connection that resonates with Digz and adds intrigue to the idea of his return.

The notion of Tomlin, who has been a cornerstone of the Steelers organization for nearly two decades, contemplating stepping away may seem far-fetched. Jay Glazer, a close friend of Tomlin, has mentioned that if Tomlin were to leave the Steelers, it would be on his own terms and decision. The Steelers are not actively looking to part ways with Tomlin.

Adam Schefter, an ESPN NFL analyst, also weighed in on the situation during NFL Countdown. 

"They're not firing Mike Tomlin, but here's the thing that's interesting. He's got a year left on his contract, and there are some people around the league who believe that Mike Tomlin could decide eventually to take some time off, like Sean Payton did. Maybe take a year off, we'll see if that's something that's on his mind. But Mike Tomlin gets to dictate what happens here, not the Pittsburgh Steelers. They're not firing him."

Digz emphasized that his suggestion of Vrabel as a potential successor to Tomlin is rooted in the comments made by Glazer and Schefter. He admitted that he wouldn't have entertained this idea if not for their insights into Tomlin's possible future decisions.  

Glazer's close friendship with Tomlin lends credibility to his remarks about the Steelers' head coach. The fact that Glazer and Tomlin share drinks and spend time together, as reported by Pat McAfee, adds weight to his statements. While Tomlin's departure remains unlikely, Glazer's words raise interesting possibilities.

Tomlin has undeniably been a successful coach during his tenure with the Steelers, but a significant drought in playoff victories since the 2016 season has left some fans wondering about his future aspirations. Many Steelers supporters assume that Tomlin would prefer to leave Pittsburgh on a high note rather than with the team barely sneaking into the playoffs.

The suggestion of Vrabel as a potential successor to Tomlin, while speculative, raises intriguing questions about the Steelers' coaching future. Tomlin's decision regarding his coaching career will ultimately determine the path the Steelers take. Until then, Steeler Nation will eagerly await any updates on this matter while focusing on the upcoming playoff challenge against the Buffalo Bills.

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