I got the impression it was Tomlin's decision. If it was indeed a coaches' decision, I don't know why they hid behind the knee injury because there is no doubt that story is going to get out, especially if they missed the playoffs. I hope it was Tomlin who benched him and I hope that he clearly communicated that with Brown in a timely manner. I don't necessarily think Tomlin has to address it with the team as long as he handled things appropriately with Brown.
Brown had a bizarre year. He went off on reporters and then shows up to camp in a helicopter. He wasn't on the same page with Ben all season, despite the two being the most dynamic QB-WR duo for the past four or five years. That chemistry doesn't just disappear. If Brown doesn't feel appreciated by the organization, I don't even know what to say. The guy is front and center all of the time. He needs to get out of his own head on that one.
It's disappoint this is what stands out about this team. It seems like you have veteran leadership with Heyward and Pouncey, but the divas on this team don't follow the lead. Ben is in his own category of leadership/drama, so no words for him. But this team has a lot of guys who I really think are about the team and want to win: Heyward, Tuitt, Haden, the entire offensive line and great young character players with Watt, JuJu, and Conner, the foundation is there, the focus from the top down is not.