Former Steelers standout-turned-analyst Ryan Clark didn’t pull any punches during a recent segment on First Take and interviews with TMZ: he believes it might be time for Mike Tomlin to consider leaving Pittsburgh and seeking a “fresh voice” elsewhere (the-sun.com, cbssports.com).
Clark, who played under Tomlin for eight seasons and still holds him in high regard, stressed: “Coach Tomlin should look into whether or not his voice is better suited somewhere else… whether or not the cache that he’ll carry from what he’s done in Pittsburgh will help another locker room more than it’s helping the locker room in Pittsburgh” (the-sun.com). He likened this possible transition to Andy Reid’s move from Philadelphia to Kansas City—arguing that change reinvigorated Reid and revved up the Chiefs (the-sun.com).
Clark didn’t shy away from acknowledging Tomlin’s pedigree—highlighting his Super Bowl win, 18 straight non-losing seasons, and consistent playoff appearances. But he also noted a troubling pattern: no playoff wins since 2016 and an 0‑6 record in postseason games that he said underscores a stagnation. Clark candidly stated, “his voice has run stale” in Pittsburgh and urged Tomlin to initiate an “Andy Reid‑Kansas City run” (steelernation.com).
Expanding on this, Clark emphasized that Tomlin is essentially “un‑fireable,” and any departure would likely come from Tomlin himself—not the Rooney family (foxnews.com). He argued that a self‑initiated exit could benefit both sides: Tomlin could chase another Super Bowl chance elsewhere, while the Steelers might gain a new mindset in the locker room (the-sun.com).
Unsurprisingly, Tomlin publicly rebuffed trade/exit rumors earlier in the year, dismissing them with “save your time” and reaffirming his hunger for coaching in Pittsburgh (the-sun.com). Meanwhile, the Rooney family has solidly backed Tomlin, having inked him to a three‑year extension through 2027 (the-sun.com).
Why Ryan Clark’s opinion matters:
- Insider credibility: As a former player coached by Tomlin, Clark’s close relationship gives weight to his critique.
- Objective framing: He doesn’t call for a firing—but rather offers a career-minded pivot that could reignite Tomlin’s legacy.
- Strategic lens: Comparing Tomlin’s situation to Reid’s illustrates a realistic roadmap: staying can breed stagnation; change might spark first‑ballot Hall of Fame greatness.
As this debate simmers, one thing is clear: Clark’s call isn’t going away anytime soon. With Pittsburgh’s playoff freeze persisting—and Tomlin contractually committed through 2027—the coming seasons will determine if Tomlin opts for a new challenge or rediscovers that “fresh voice” in Steel City.
- the-sun.com
Leave a Reply