Steelers HC Mike Tomlin Talks Future at QB, Possible Coaching Changes and More

[Steeler Nation]

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach, Mike Tomlin addressed the media once again for his final weekly press conference of the season on Tuesday afternoon. He expressed his appreciation for the players and team coaches for an eventful season, but acknowledged that the Steelers ultimately fell short of their goal to reach the Super Bowl.

Tomlin said that he will use the rest of the day for team exit interviews, starting with the rookies and players on the final year of their contract.

From a health standpoint, no off-season surgeries are currently needed. And as for the quarterback position, the Steelers will begin to prepare for the 2022 season under the assumption that Ben Roethlisberger will not be returning. Tomlin noted that Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins will have to prove themselves entering next season, and doesn’t currently characterize either to be “everyday starters.”

Tomlin says "all options are on the table" for adding another quarterback to the room — rookie vs. veterans

— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) January 18, 2022

Several questions from reporters arose about offensive coordinator, Matt Canada coming back next season as the offense took a significant step backwards compared to last season. Tomlin expressed that the front office is still intrigued with some of the components Canada brings to the offense, but isn’t going to be “surprised” if changes happen.

Tomlin: "I'm optimistic about Matt (Canada) and what he's capable of doing. i acknowledge we took a step back. there are obvious tangible reasons why that occurred."

— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) January 18, 2022

As for defensive coordinator, Keith Butler, he and Tomlin have had conversations this past year about this being Butler’s last year with the team, but nothing is official as of today.

To close out the press conference, Tomlin was asked about the possibility of safety Terrell Edmunds returning to the team as he’s set to become a free agent this off-season, as well as his thoughts about starting J.C. Hassenauer over Kendrick Green at center over the last few weeks. Tomlin expressed that he was appreciative of Edmunds’ “availability” over the last four years and how that shouldn’t go unnoted, and that he also felt that Hassenauer gave the team the best chance to win down the stretch of the season.






Overall, the press conference felt bittersweet for Tomlin as he again acknowledged that you never want to start your exit interviews this early in the regular or postseason, but he’s excited to start this off-season process of evaluating and finding new ways to keep this team competitive — this time, for the first time, without having a Hall of Fame quarterback at his disposal.

Tomlin: "I understand change is a part of our business. I'm not overly resistant to it. … I'm open to change where appropriate."

— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) January 18, 2022

Watch the full press conference below:

Coach Tomlin on evaluating roster needs: pic.twitter.com/HxRqJUAVhy

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 18, 2022

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[stuntmanmike]

Nobody wants coach Tomlin to succeed more than Steeler fans obviously. But somewhere there is a huge disconnect hopefully he addresses the glaring problems we face. We need to remake a storied defense to compete in the 21st century this won’t be easy to do, even billicheat is having a hard time. On offense Steelers need stability we need a good solid identity as to who and what we are and what it is we are trying to do. We don’t need a revolving door of OC’ s with a new qb coming on board. I hope they flush Canada and bring in a known coach that can develop a modern approach and develop a young qb much like Ron Erhardt did when cowher took over… good luck coach… you’ll need it!!!

 

[TDX27]

Canada absolutely should be gone but I would be completely shocked if he was fired. Unless Rooney tells Tomlin to fire Canada, he is coming back. Tomlin totally threw his players under the bus to defend Canada. I guess he's not such a players coach afterall.

 

[SteelBuckeye]

For all you guys who get stoked about the rules, bylaws and minutiae of the NFL, I wonder about the workings of the revised Rooney Rule.
Say Butler retires and they stay in house and hire Austin as his replacement, will they get a third round pick or does the pick only accrue if you lose a minority assistant coach to a coordinator position with another team?

Edit: Never mind. You only get extra picks for losing coaches or executives to fill other teams' HC or GM positions. Omar Kahn, you're up.

 

[Benson Dobbs]

Although Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger hasn’t made a formal retirement announcement, there’s little doubt that he has played his last game.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin acknowledged today that the plan is that Roethlisberger will not be a Steeler in 2022.

“We are proceeding with that assumption,” Tomlin said.

Tomlin said that Steelers backup quarterbacks Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins will be given an opportunity to show what they can do, but he made clear that nothing will be handed to either of them.

“Both guys, Mason and Dwayne, have had their moments, but they’ll have to prove that,” Tomlin said.

Tomlin said he and General Manager Kevin Colbert will talk about finding quarterbacks in free agency and the draft.

“All options are on the table,” Tomlin said. “I enjoy working with Kevin this time of year.”

Whatever direction they go in to find a new quarterback, Tomlin and Colbert will be making perhaps the most important personnel decision the Steelers have made since they drafted Roethlisberger.

Mike Tomlin: Steelers are proceeding with the assumption that Ben Roethlisberger is retired - ProFootballTalk

Although Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger hasn’t made a formal retirement announcement, there’s little doubt that he has played his last game.Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin acknowledged today that the plan is that Roethlisberger will not be a Steeler in 2022.“We are proceeding with that...

profootballtalk.nbcsports.com

 

[SteelBuckeye]

Pretty sure he knows Ben has NOT retired at this point. There are forms that need to be filed with the league office and things of that nature.
Obviously he stated that they are proceeding with the assumption that Ben will retire.
But, it appears that even if he does not retire, they are planning on life without Ben as a Steeler.

 

[SteelerFan448]

Tomlin is letting Ben have his official PC when he's ready and is doing the same with Kevin Colbert.

 

[Drink IRON City]

Coach Tolin hasn't had his end season eeting with ART Duece so simply put,....... Coach Tomlin can't say anything definate.

Think about that statement as he hasn't said anything definate all season



Salute the nation

 

[bkwheat28]

DIC I couldn’t help but chuckle at your misspelling. There’s an end of season eating? That’s why he stays!