Mike Lombardi explains why Pittsburgh Steelers should retain Mike Tomlin

Over the past week, rumors have surfaced about head coach Mike Tomlin’s future with the Pittsburgh Steelers. After the Steelers’ season-ending 31-17 loss to the Buffalo Bills, a reporter attempted to ask Tomlin about the rumor mill.

Before the reporter could even finish their question, Tomlin walked off stage. During an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Mike Lombardi weighed in on Tomlin’s reaction and the situation brewing in Pittsburgh.

“That was easy for him,” Lombardi said. “He just got beat in a tough game, undermanned, didn’t have his best player on defense. I thought they gave great effort and I think sometimes we just judge the scoreboard.

“If you think you’re going to find a better coach than Mike Tomlin, good luck. Now, I know why you Steelers fans are upset, and certainly he can rearrange his offensive staff or perhaps add defensive coaches to his staff. But, I don’t think you’re gonna go out there and say ‘This coach is better than Tomlin. We need to bring him in.'”

Tomlin’s situation is complex. While he’s never had a losing season while leading the Steelers, the organization hasn’t made it past the Wildcard Round of the NFL Playoffs since 2017. To pile on, Tomlin is entering the final year of his coaching contract for the first time in his coaching tenure with the Steelers.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter provided more details on Tomlin’s future during an appearance on “NFL Live” on Monday afternoon.

“Mike Tomlin is expected to take some time after the season ends to see whether or not he would be willing to step away from the Steelers,” Schefter said. “He’s not getting fired. He’s welcome to stay in Pittsburgh as long as he wants.

“But, people expect him to talk with his family and Arthur Rooney to see if he could conceivably take a break after this year for a year, the way that Sean Payton once did in New Orleans, where he took a break from the Saints and then wound up coaching the Broncos. There’ll be some decisions that Mike Tomlin has to make.”

Tomlin’s decision aside, Lombardi doesn’t believe Tomlin should be pushed out. Instead, Lombardi claims fans should remain patient.

“I just think people get bored so easily,” Lombardi said. “People complain about offensive coaches, but when they get bored, won’t call the same play again, right? And same thing with fans. They get bored with winning, or not winning enough.”