Cam Heyward

[SteelerInLebanon]

Veteran Steelers beat writer Ed Bouchette has repeatedly stated that Tomlin had the final say on personnel matters, including roster decisions and coaching staff choices.





Bouchette (Feb 2025) was very direct:





Tomlin is “deeply involved” and gets who he wants — that’s the way it is.

Deeply involved doesn’t mean final say. I would never argue he didn’t have a huge part in it or that he didn’t usually get what he wanted. Except another receiver the last two years.

 

[slashsteel]

This is where I always thought we leaned....especially when Omar was elevated to GM. Could be either or I suppose.

I never heard otherwise. Not does it make sense. When things don’t make sense there is a reason for it.

 

[slashsteel]

Deeply involved doesn’t mean final say. I would never argue he didn’t have a huge part in it or that he didn’t usually get what he wanted. Except another receiver the last two years.

Getting what he wanted is the final say.

They all wanted an upgrade at wide receiver that has nothing to do with anything . Not like one was purposely not acquired.

 

[steelcan58]

I not really sure that the HC won’t get that final nod on the players, doesn’t who he ultimately wants on his roster building tied to his success or lack there of?

Won't that be part of the interview process?

 

[SteelerInLebanon]

Getting what he wanted is the final say.

I don’t think he always did. Particularly in free agency otherwise we may have had a WR2. In the draft I think they had a consensus already and put it together collaboratively. Free agency was Omar’s game certainly with Mikes input. But even in the draft it was Omar with the “official” stamp of approval. I would love to have had a chance to see how the actual discussions went. It would be enlightening and likely entertaining.

To a degree we are arguing semantics. I think they worked well together.

 

[slashsteel]

I don’t think he always did. Particularly in free agency otherwise we may have had a WR2. In the draft I think they had a consensus already and put it together collaboratively. Free agency was Omar’s game certainly with Mikes input. But even in the draft it was Omar with the “official” stamp of approval. I would love to have had a chance to see how the actual discussions went. It would be enlightening and likely entertaining.

To a degree we are arguing semantics. I think they worked well together.

He always did if they could find and secure a player. My point is they weren’t refusing anything he wanted and would get them what they could who they could.

Sorry Omar didn’t have the final stamp of approval they went by their board. And if things were equal on their board Mike had the final say unless Rooney would step in but we know that wouldn’t be the normal.

Say Mike wanted Pickett he was equal to another player and say Omar wanted player B. They would draft Pickett. It wouldn’t be a debate if the player was clearly the better value. Then the better value would be drafted.

This is how Steelers do business. They want their coach being able to mold his team.

 

[SteelerInLebanon]

He always did if they could find and secure a player. My point is they weren’t refusing anything he wanted and would get them what they could who they could.

Sorry Omar didn’t have the final stamp of approval they went by their board. And if things were equal on their board Mike had the final say unless Rooney would step in but we know that wouldn’t be the normal.

Say Mike wanted Pickett he was equal to another player and say Omar wanted player B. They would draft Pickett. It wouldn’t be a debate if the player was clearly the better value. Then the better value would be drafted.

This is how Steelers do business. They want their coach being able to mold his team.

Certainly wasn’t that way at times with Cowher and Donahue. If Cowher had his way we would have never had Ben. None of us know for sure without being there.

 

[slashsteel]

Certainly wasn’t that way at times with Cowher and Donahue. If Cowher had his way we would have never had Ben. None of us know for sure without being there.

Sometimes they step in for a QB but again it wasn’t the normal.

Sure we know for sure, they repeatedly reported it Ed , etc.

If you really sit back and think about this you would know what I said makes perfect sense.


It really makes no sense to think Mike didn’t have the final nod the final say. Pushing in a draft for a QB doesn’t alter their approach. It is just the exception not the rule.

 

[SteelerFan448]

Certainly wasn’t that way at times with Cowher and Donahue. If Cowher had his way we would have never had Ben. None of us know for sure without being there.

Not exactly according to the story he told on Ben's podcast.