Mike Tomlin could be on the move this offseason. Could he end up with the New York Giants?
Tomlin, of course, is the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He has served that role for 19 years.
While he has had a lot of success with the franchise, things have gotten rough lately. In Week 13, the Steelers were blown out at home by the Buffalo Bills 26-7. Chants of “Fire Tomlin” echoed through Acrisure Stadium (formerly Heinz Field). The Steelers gave up a ridiculous 249 rushing yards in that game.
It’s unclear whether Tomlin and the Steelers will part ways this offseason. But if that does happen, Tomlin could become the Giants’ next head coach.
Change of Scenery: Mike Tomlin Could Head to NYC
Looking Back at His Pittsburgh Tenure
The Steelers hired Mike Tomlin in January 2007. He replaced the legendary Bill Cowher, who had spent 15 years with the team.
During his first season in Pittsburgh, Tomlin led the Steelers to a 10-6 record and an AFC North Division Championship. The Steelers lost in the first round of the playoffs, though, to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The following season, Tomlin became the youngest head coach in NFL history to both coach in and win a Super Bowl when he led Pittsburgh to a 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.
During his tenure in Pittsburgh, Tomlin has led the team to seven AFC North titles and has guided the Steelers to the playoffs 12 times. In addition, the team has reached the Super Bowl twice (also lost to the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XLV).
Tomlin has never had a losing season as the Steelers’ coach. While the team is 6-6 this year, there’s still time to turn things around. But no matter how the season ends, it might be time for Tomlin and the Steelers to go their separate ways. Perhaps he needs a change a scenery.
Why the Giants?
If the Steelers fire Tomlin after this season, ESPN’s Marcus Spears thinks he wouldn’t be out of a job for long. On Monday Night Countdown ahead of the game between the Giants and New England Patriots, Spears floated the idea of Tomlin coaching in New York.
“If the Pittsburgh Steelers are moving away from Mike Tomlin, (general manager) Joe Schoen should hire Mike Tomlin to be the head coach for the New York Giants,” Spears said.
“And it’s because he understands organization and structure. And there is a quarterback in New York. I believe that Jaxson Dart is the future of the New York Giants. If you want somebody to come in with unquestioned leadership, you’ve seen him do it at a high level and that can immediately galvanize the guys on this football team, I think Mike Tomlin would be perfect for the New York Giants.”
Spears is right. Mike Tomlin understands structure and he’d be a great replacement for Brian Daboll, whom the Giants fired earlier this season.
The Steelers have struggled to find a franchise quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger retired. It’s difficult to win without a star QB. Meanwhile, Giants signal-caller Jaxson Dart looks like a future star. Mike Tomlin and Dart could turn out to be a solid coach-quarterback duo in New York.
Plus, Tomlin has proven to handle high-pressure scenarios and could provide the Giants with much-needed leadership.
Main Image: Tommy Gilligan – Imagn Images
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