Regime Change

100%

 

I mean Cowher didn't want Ben either. So was Ben Cowher's guy or the GM's guy. He wins one with Ben and then leaves after a crappy next season. This team does need a refresh. Whatever the reason they have 3rd round picks not even dressing because they don't trust them? Maybe get them some game time earlier in the season and integrate them into the gameplan more. That's a lack of development that's on the coaches.

 

Not in todays NFL they are not.


Dan Campbell inherited a mess. Sean Payton had to work with Russell Wilson and a Broncos roster that was in need of a major tune up. Kirk Cousins was very much the Kirk Cousins that was good but not good enough until Kevin O'Connell came into the scene. Today's good coaches need to be able to be creative. The NFL Rules heavily tilt this into the Offenses favor. As such, Offensive Minded Coaches are what work best; doubly so considering how many have been in both Conferences Championship Games from 2021 to 2024.

This cuts both ways though if the bolded is applied as an argument. Sean drafted Josh Allen. DeMeco drafted C.J. Stroud. Mike inherited Drake Maye. All those would be considered pairings as those Coaches needed to get them or work with.


Conversely, Liam Cohen inherited Trevor Lawrence; same goes for Ben Johnson via Caleb Williams. The aforementioned Dan Campbell traded for Jared Goff (he was still young at the time). Hell, Kyle Shanahan swung and missed on Trey Lance; Brock Purdy being his redemption. Having a young QB is priority number for any coach be it Offensive or Defensive. However, where that difference lies is in their development. Even someone as limited as Brock Purdy wouldn't be the same without Kyle Shanahan. Having the QB is only a part of the equation; something the Front Office better have either in place or a plan to obtain (hint hint).


Overall, if the Head Coach needs to display leadership abilities, they stand a much better chance than coaches that do not. Kliff Kingsbury, Mike McDaniel, Adam Gase, Josh McDaniels and Matt Nagy are all but a handful of examples that either didn't work out or were not cut out. That said, if you do nab a coach with the leadership capabilities?! You do have something to work with there. Keyword is something. To get the complete package in today's NFL?! That HC better be from an Offensive Background.


Kyle Shanahan has been nothing but money for the 49ers. Granted, he hasn't won the Super Bowl yet but his abilities as both a leader and play caller are second to none. Sean Payton transformed the Broncos, a team that was a laughing stock in his first season into an AFC Powerhouse by his 3rd. Same goes for Sean McVay. For that matter, on the subject of Sean McVay, thank him and Kyle Shanahan for this current explosion of Offensive Fireworks in today's NFL; further strengthened by the NFL Competition Committee. Just about every rule anymore is favored towards the Offense for that is what the NFL wants.


I am by no means a fan of it myself but that is the current paradigm in the NFL. Unless Sean McDermont and/or Mike McDaniel breakthrough, it will be more of the same.

 

I hope this is what we do. That and try to improve our draft capital for next year.

Maybe flip one of the 3rds we think we'll get to a 2nd next year or something. Ammo to move up if there's a QB.

 

lol

 

Joe Brady would be an appealing option no doubt.


Remember that while not being on Mike Tomiln's staff natively, Tomlin and Sean McDermont go way back.

 

I'm ready. Have officially notified the org I'm available for a virtual interview. As I wipe the corn curl dust off my fingers I know which direction I want to take the team.

In short, I'm ready.

 

You are correct; an NFL Head Coach needs to be a leader of men. I already outlined that. However, that Coach better be from an Offensive Background. Why?!


Today's NFL caters towards that side of the ball. Hell, even Defensive Minded Coaches like Vrabel and McDermont have had to adapt despite their backgrounds. Having that dude at QB helps but keeping the OC?! Good luck with that. Now, will all of them work?! Nope.


That said, can the right ones lead you further than before?! Without a doubt. Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan are the poster children. So again, unless McDermont or Mike MacDonald break the cycle?! Expect more of the same from NFL Owners and who they want; the Rooney's included.

 

Offensive guy for me. Defensive Leader of Men will succumb to the inability to generate an Offense sooner rather than later.


Mike McDaniel is basically that description. He broke even despite having a very limited QB.

 

Blame the NFL for its insatiable thirst to sell the game.


Today's NFL is Offensive Driven.


Need to find that guy at Head Coach.

 

Not saying it can’t or won’t happen but that’s a narrow tightrope to walk.

For the past several seasons the Steelers have counted on exceptional things happening (such as a veteran QB reversing years of declining play) rather than planning on their outcome aligning with NFL wide precedents (an old CB no longer being able to execute single man coverage).

Hopefully a new voice in the room reverses that organizational philosophy. Plan for the 8 out of 10 outcomes. If you get the 2 of 10 outcome then great but expecting it is silly.

My concern is that this POV, that’s for me at least, defined the Steelers decision making process for 5-6 seasons now wasn’t solely a Tomlin one. If it is a POV that the organization takes regardless - not much will change.

 

It is preferable to have an offensive head coach so a young QB can maintain a consistent system and be less affected if the coordinator leaves. Any Offensive Coordinator worth a damn will get poached.

There is a plentiful supply of Defensive Coordinators or unemployed former defensive head coaches on the market.

 

I think that Ownership rarely dictates their POV onto the coach. It took Rooney telling Cowher to stop being stubborn and talked him into drafting an early QB despite not really wanting one. I know not a lot gets out from the organizational side (which is a good thing tbh), but I don't think that Ownership has any interest in forcing a Tomlin mindset on the next coach. I think they will let the next coach do their thing and step in only if it is absolutely necessary.

I understand that we don't have the "QB of the future" ironed out yet, but there's still a lot to like about this team. We have some good young talent on the OL, a quality WR under contract, a really nice looking young DL, a really nice young CB, some talented young pass rushers... oh and the ability to either keep a few vets around or cash them out so that we have close to 100 million in cap to spend in FA. And a decent amount of draft capital to get aggressive with or add to the team with.

 

Yep. All the way back to W&M.