The Pittsburgh Steelers have had their fair share of ups and downs in recent seasons, and the 2023 campaign was no exception. With a final record of 10-7, they managed to secure a playoff spot, but were quickly bounced from the postseason.
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Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin talks to members of the Pittsburgh media
One of the biggest headlines of the offseason so far was the Steelers' decision to bring in former Atlanta Falcons Head Coach Arthur Smith as their offensive coordinator. This move raised eyebrows and sparked discussions among fans and pundits alike. How would Smith's offensive expertise impact the team's performance, and what changes would he bring to the table?
Steelers' Fans Growing Tired Of Mike Tomlin
As the 2023 season progressed, the calls for change within the Steelers' organization grew louder. Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin found himself under intense scrutiny as the team faced a three-game losing streak in December. Debates about whether Tomlin had lost control of the locker room were rampant among fans and analysts.
Despite the mounting pressure, Tomlin remained unfazed and demonstrated his coaching prowess. He managed to rally his team and secure his 17th consecutive winning season, a remarkable feat in the NFL. Tomlin's ability to lead his team through adversity has been a trademark of his coaching career in Pittsburgh.
While some Steelers fans were ready to move on from Tomlin, one of the team's star players, TJ Watt, made his loyalty clear. Watt expressed that there was only one coach he wanted to play for, and that coach was Tomlin. Watt's endorsement of Tomlin highlights the strong player-coach relationship that exists within the Steelers' locker room.
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Steelers TJ Watt talks with Mike Tomlin during a regular season game against the Green Bay Packers.
Greg Auman, a writer for Fox Sports, conducted a survey among NFL Pro Bowl players. He asked them a thought-provoking question: If they had to pick a coach, other than their current one, to play for, who would it be? The responses from the players shed light on their preferences and the coaches they admire.
“We frame this one as "other than your own coach, which current NFL coach would you most like to play for," and even with that in an anonymous survey, there's a pause with players hesitant to answer, like they would be guilty of NFL infidelity. The first 10 responses all featured different coaches, and we got 14 names in all, but the winner was Lions coach Dan Campbell — one player even said ‘everybody's going to say this, but Dan Campbell.'”
In Auman's survey, Detriot Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell emerged as the winner with six votes. Tomlin secured the second-most votes with five. DeMeco Ryans, the head coach of the Houston Texans, earned three votes, further highlighting the respect players have for these coaches.
It's no surprise that Campbell is a name that NFL players wish they could play for. He's a great leader of men and, like Tomlin, has the ability to get the collective to buy into the mission regardless of talent or situation.
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Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell coaches a game
Despite the debates and criticisms, the players who participated in the NFL Pro Bowl made their admiration and willingness to play for Tomlin clear. They consider him one of the greatest coaches in the league and someone they would dream of playing for. Tomlin's ability to earn the respect and trust of NFL players speaks volumes about his coaching acumen.
One of the prevailing criticisms of Tomlin in recent years has been his playoff record. Since the 2016 season, Tomlin has been unable to secure a playoff victory. However, as the Steelers continue to strive for postseason success, it's essential to recognize Tomlin's accomplishments and his unwavering commitment to the team's success.
Tomlin's journey as the head coach of the Steelers has been marked by challenges, successes, and unwavering loyalty from his players. While the debate about his coaching abilities may persist among fans and analysts, one thing remains clear: NFL Pro Bowl players view Tomlin as a coach they deeply respect and admire. As he continues to lead the Steelers, he remains a definitive choice among NFL players as a coach they want to play for most.
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