It is time for Mike Tomlin to ask for a McDermott deal

By Pat Freeman, The Mighty O’Ba

Mike Tomlin and Pat Freeman

Watching the Pittsburgh Steelers lose to the Buffalo Bills again this past Sunday once again showed me that Mike Tomlin needs to tell the Steelers organization that he needs the opportunity to be in full control. Coach Tomlin has proven over the years that he is one of the most astute minds in the NFL, but he needs a deal like his old friend Sean McDermott.

Sean McDermott runs the football operation for the Buffalo Bills organization because he brought in the entire department. This is the only thing lacking for the Steelers who will once again probably finish with a winning record but will not go far into the playoffs. When Coach McDermott was allowed to build his own operation in Buffalo, I was a little hesitant because Doug Whaley had a great eye for talent. The only problem he had was that he was not in charge of the full football operation, which meant he recommended the hiring of McDermott, but the head coach answered the owner.

This caused problems in the organization during the tenure of Doug Marrone, and it caused the organization to lean toward giving their new head coach full control to shape the football operation as he saw fit. This turned out to be a winning formula producing five straight division titles and two AFC championship games. My question is why have the Steelers not given the same opportunity to Mike Tomlin who has gotten this team two Super Bowls and multiple winning seasons rather than listen to the call of firing one of the most successful head coaches in NFL history? Truly I believe rather than continue to listen to calls to firing Tomlin, the Steelers organization should allow him to build his own operation within three years to show improvement. I think you will see the results the steel city has wanted to see.