Cam Heyward Dismisses Former Teammates’ Opinions Amidst Calls to Fire Mike Tomlin

Mike Tomlin is facing increasing pressure to be let go from his job as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers after their loss to the Bills.

Cam Heyward Dismisses Former Teammates’ Opinions Amidst Calls to Fire Mike Tomlin

Cam Heyward and Mike Tomlin (Image via The Athletic/X/Imago)

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As the attention falls on Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, an onus will fall on veteran players such as Cam Heyward to ensure his teammates do not get affected by the noise.

After the way the team was decimated at the hands of the Buffalo Bills last week, most of the sports world’s attention has been diverted to discuss the future of the 53-year-old coach and that of the franchise.

Among those opinions were two that stood out. Both were from former players who have won a lot of games and a Super Bowl under Tomlin, and now have first-hand knowledge of what it is to play for him.

They were former star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who believed it was best if his former head coach took another job, as he may have the motivation or challenge that he once had.

Then there was pass rusher James Harrison, who was a bit more direct and asked the top brass to dismiss Tomlin. When team veteran Cam Heyward was asked about those opinions, he replied:

I don’t worry about anybody who’s not in the locker room. It’s not a diss at them. I think we just got to worry about the guys in here and focus at the job at hand.

Cam Heyward said

The 7-time Pro Bowler believes there is enough football left on their plate to try and turn their season around. Therefore, he is not concerned by the opinions of those who are not currently on the team.

Ryan Clark agrees with fellow Steelers’ comments, but does not believe Mike Tomlin should go

As the conversations shifted from mainstay sports analysts to the opinion of former players who have experience playing under Mike Tomlin, another former Steelers’ star, Ryan Clark, was asked if James Harrison’s criticism was fair.

Mike Tomlin has the support of his players
Mike Tomlin has the support of his players (Image via Brendan Howe/X)

(Mike Tomlin) is one of the greatest coaches of this era… When you watch the product that’s on the field right now, you have to agree with what James is saying.

Ryan Clark said on First Take

The Super Bowl champion safety reiterated that by no means was he trying to suggest that Tomlin should be fired. Instead, he agreed with Harrison’s opinion by pointing out how the Steelers’ current form would tend to lead people to think the head coach is at fault.

Clark hopes his former head coach and GM, Omar Khan, sits down and figures out how to step up from their years of mediocrity. Or, reboot the entire franchise and start from the ground up.

Ryan Clark believes it might be the latter. Mike Tomlin being unfirable makes blowing up the expensive and aging roster for a completely fresh slate the only option for the franchise’s future.

Mike Tomlin gets some good news with Adam Thielen signing

One good news Mike Tomlin got after that abomination of a game was that he would be getting veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen, who was waived by the Minnesota Vikings.

Learning an NFL playbook in a few days is comparable to learning a new language.

Adam Thielen said

This was the former All-Pro’s first words as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Tomlin and his coaches are not expecting the 35-year-old to break defensive back’s ankles.

However, if the undrafted star can mentor the team’s younger receivers to play better than they are doing now, their investment in him would be justified.

Coming up are the Baltimore Ravens, who themselves did not have a game to remember in Week 13. With playoff stakes high, the two AFC North rivals will look to gain the upper hand come Sunday, and Thielen might be called upon to help them get there.

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