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Ryan Clark calls for Mike Tomlin to 'look into' opportunities beyond Steelers

Brian Jones Profile Picby:Brian Jones•01/15/25•

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Ryan Clark Mike Tomlin
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Ryan Clark believes Mike Tomlin should explore his options and move on from the Pittsburgh Steelers if it’s possible. While speaking with TMZ Sports, the ESPN NFL analyst and former Steelers defensive back shared his thoughts on Tomlin’s future in Pittsburgh.

“Coach Tomlin should look into whether or not his voice is better suited somewhere else,” Clark said. “Whether or not the cache that he will carry from what he’s done in Pittsburgh will help another locker room more than it’s helping the locker room in Pittsburgh.”

Clark added that Andy Reid left the Philadelphia Eagles, and it worked out for him since he has won three Super Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs. “Andy Reid’s voice seemed to have lost a little steam in Philadelphia that was picked up in Kansas City,” Clark said. “I believe that can be an answer for Mike Tomlin.”

Ryan Clark and Mike Tomlin won a Super Bowl together

Ryan Clark played for Tomlin from 2007 (Tomlin’s first year with the Steelers) to 2013. During his time with Tomlin, Clark helped the Steelers win the Super Bowl during the 2008 season and was named to the Pro Bowl in 2011. Clark was also part of the last Steelers Super Bowl team, the 2010 squad that lost to the Green Bay Packers during the 2010 season.

There has been a lot of talk about Tomlin’s future in Pittsburgh after the team lost to the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. The Steelers have lost their last six playoff games with the last victory happening on Jan. 15, 2017.

During his season-ending news conference, Mike Tomlin had a message for teams looking to trade for him. “Save your time,” he said, per ESPN. “I understand the nature of what it is that we do, the attention and criticism that comes with it. As a matter of fact, I embrace it, to be quite honest with you. I enjoy the urgency that comes with what I do and what we do.

“I don’t make excuses for failure. I own it, but I also feel like I’m capable and so as long as I’m afforded an opportunity to do that, I will continue, but I certainly understand their frustrations and probably more importantly than that, I share it because that’s how I’m wired.”