Steelers' Week 13 Collapse Leads Former NFL Head Coach To Bold Mike Tomlin Take: "Fire Him"

On Sunday November 30th, Mike Tomlin and his Pittsburgh Steelers suffered a demolishing defeat at the hands of the Buffalo Bills, 26-7. The Steelers were in a promising position leading the game at halftime 7-3, while also receiving the football at the end of halftime. That promise was quickly taken thanks to a Joey Bosa strip-sack which led to a fumble recovery for a touchdown. The Steelers never recovered, as the Bills went on to rush for 249 yards with 41:59 time of possession according to ESPN.com. The offense could not sustain drives, while the defense could not stop the Bills' rushing attack. 

Despite this embarrassing performance, former NFL Head Coach Rex Ryan came to Tomlin's aid in a peculiar way. Monday morning on Get Up, Ryan had plenty to say.

"10 years, you start to smell, and your message gets lost. I don't think that's the case with Mike Tomlin," Ryan stated on Get Up. "I just think right now, do Mike Tomlin a favor, and fire him. He would get a job anywhere else in the league in two seconds."

The crowd let it be known they were not pleased with what they were watching on Sunday. As the game went on, there were multiple "Fire Tomlin" chants and roaring boos after every offensive drive. The franchise's iconic fourth quarter Renegade was booed maybe the loudest. The fans are growing impatient with Tomlin and the Steelers. The team has been stuck in the same spot for a few years now.

"Here's what I know about Mike Tomlin: he's a leader, he is an absolute leader," Ryan continued via Get Up. "He's not getting older, in my opinion, his message is still current."

Perhaps the fan base doesn't share Ryan's enthusiasm towards Tomlin as the boos at Acrisure Stadium were overwhelming in Week 13. The players are not openly calling out the head coach, so maybe the players feel the same as Ryan. If that is the case, they certainly did not play like it. The Bills ran for the most rushing yards the Steelers have allowed at home since 1975. 

The Steelers have only had three head coaches in the last 56 years. The franchise is built on stability. Despite seven losing seasons from Chuck Noll, and three from Bill Cowher, the Steelers never fired either of them. Both retired on their own terms. Do the Steelers fire Tomlin? It's hard to imagine given Tomlin's track record of zero losing seasons. He also won a Super Bowl and appeared in two. 

"People talk about firing a head coach like it's a decision on paper, but there are things bigger than winning -- something we're building right now that will define the future of the Steelers for years to come. And for that to happen, Mike Tomlin has to be a part of it," Steelers Owner Art Rooney II noted.

Would Tomlin Find A Job The Way Ryan Thinks?

Would Tomlin find a job in "two seconds?" The NFL is a changed game. NFL team's philosophies are different. It is no longer an "establish the run, play great defense" kind of league. Teams like to score points fast. Many believe Tomlin is stuck in his ways; he still prides himself on winning the game with defense. That still works here and there for the Steelers, but when they play the better teams in the league, you see the results you saw on Sunday. With how the NFL is shaping, it's hard to imagine teams will be calling Tomlin's phone the moment he hits the market with his current philosophies.

The Steelers still have the Baltimore Ravens twice, the Miami Dolphins, the Detroit Lions, and Cleveland Browns remaining this season. While the Dolphins remain in the playoff hunt and the Browns fighting for the first overall pick, these do not look to be easy wins like originally thought. 

Do you think Mike Tomlin can turn the Steelers' season around with five games remaining? Let us know in the comment below.

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