Rex Ryan Wants Steelers to Fire Mike Tomlin After Brutal Loss Against Bills

The Pittsburgh Steelers, in their 19th season under Mike Tomlin, have found themselves grappling for a spot in the playoffs.

Rex Ryan Wants Steelers to Fire Mike Tomlin After Brutal Loss Against Bills

Rex Ryan in circle and Mike Tomlin (Images via Sports Illustrated/Bleacher Report)

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The former New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan has suggested that the Pittsburgh Steelers should part ways with their long-time head coach, Mike Tomlin. Ryan’s remarks came after frustrated fans chanted for Tomlin’s dismissal during the Steelers’ blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday evening.

There have been calls in the Steel City for some time to rethink their head coach. However, Ryan doesn’t want the Steelers to trade Tomlin because he’s bad or his style has gone stale after several years, but because it would be the best solution for the coach and his future in the league.

You know the old adage is ten years you start to smell and your message gets lost. I don’t think that’s the case with Mike Tomlin. Do Mike Tomlin a favor and fire him. He would get a job anywhere else in the league in two seconds.

Rex Ryan noted on Monday’s episode of Get Up

It was, in fact, a jab at the Pittsburgh’s front office, and Ryan hasn’t shied away from such direct hits at them. Earlier in January, he had said that the Steelers would still not be a good team even if they replaced him.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been consistent under Mike Tomlin. He took over from Bill Cowher ahead of the 2007 season and saw immediate success. In his debut year with the Steelers, he took them to the playoffs after missing them in the previous year. In the following season, the Steelers went on to win the league championship, defeating the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII. He also won the NFL Coach of the Year award.

In the 18 seasons he has coached, Tomlin has ensured the Steelers have not had a single losing season. They made the Super Bowl twice (won in 2008-09 and lost in 2010-11) and the playoffs a total of 12 times. Despite the consistency, the constant progression to the playoffs, and the absence of more silverware, the limited playoff success has irked fans for some time. The Steelers have proved that the progression without actual winning doesn’t reduce fans’ frustrations, but rather adds to them.

Emmanuel Acho also says Mike Tomlin must go, and the roster needs surgery

For many fans, this wasn’t just one bad night. For some former players and analysts, it’s the culmination of a decade-long decline under Mike Tomlin. It was just the same for Rex Ryan and many other analysts, including Emmanuel Acho.

Mike Tomlin
Mike Tomlin (Image via the Bleacher Report)

On the latest episode of Speakeasy, Acho didn’t mince words. Acho noted that the problem isn’t just the loss to Buffalo, it’s a pattern of trying to patch a broken roster with stopgap players rather than rebuilding. The Steelers haven’t been able to find their franchise quarterback after Ben Roethlisberger and have attempted to fix the glaring quarterback issues with inconsistent replacements.

How I see it, Mike Tomlin keeps trying to put a band-aid on things that need surgery,” Acho said, before listing a string of veteran acquisitions that ultimately failed: “Russell Wilson — band-aid. Justin Fields — band-aid. Aaron Rodgers — band-aid. Jalen Ramsey — band-aid. Darius Slay — band-aid.

Emmanuel Acho said on Speakeasy

He continued, urged for a whole re-haul while noting that the team’s old by NFL standards.

The roster needs surgery. It needs a surgical overhaul… Like James Jones said, ‘Hey, we’re getting older.’ Watt getting older. Everybody and their momma on that squad getting older, including Aaron Rodgers.

Acho added

In his view, the continued reliance on aging veterans has masked deeper structural issues. And these issues take more than a few veteran signings can solve.

Also Read: 3 Ways Bills Have Re-Emerged As Super Bowl Contenders Despite Josh Allen’s Average Night