Best of The Herd

Tuesday, live from Chicago—welcome to The Herd. Playoffs strip the paint, and Pittsburgh’s stuck in a mediocrity loop. They defend, they’re loyal, they avoid risk, and they still can’t move the ball; it’s time to spend on offense and go get a real plan at quarterback.

Coach T’s track record speaks for itself. When the culture’s right, you don’t chase change because of outside noise; that’s not how I’d run it.

The league’s shifted. Titles now ride on top offenses and aggressive GMs, not on second pass rushers. Nine straight champs had top ten offenses; the Steelers finished twenty-sixth again—cross the bridge and invest in the side of the ball that wins.

Texans’ defense closed it, but without Nico Collins I don’t know what they’ve got in New England. And CJ hasn’t looked like his rookie self.

Breaking news: Mike Tomlin’s stepping down after nineteen seasons. Pittsburgh needs a reset—young, high-upside GM, an offensive head coach, and urgency at quarterback; meanwhile the Giants just became big winners in this market.

Robert, quick reaction—was it time for both sides?

It was. The Steelers are about to get younger with a pile of picks, and Tomlin had no clear path to a quarterback. A year off or a new setup makes sense for everyone.

Who fits Pittsburgh now?

An offensive coach like Kevin Stefanski tracks, but the Steelers also hire unconventionally; I expect a wide-ranging search.

Does Tomlin leaving change the Aaron Rodgers calculus?

It makes a run-back less likely. They’re turning young on both sides, and a forty-two-year-old quarterback doesn’t align with that timeline.

Giants: culture guy like Tomlin or Harbaugh, or a play-caller like Stefanski?

Quarterback and ownership drive the decision. The Giants are more attractive internally than people think, and Harbaugh fits the culture brief.

We’ve got nine openings. Are fast turnarounds the reason?

Yes. Look at Seattle moving on and landing Mike Macdonald—ceiling instantly lifts. Owners see that, so the hook’s quicker.

Green Bay’s loss—where do you put it?

Offensive line and run-game issues after halftime, too much pressure on Love, and not enough star power with a key pass catcher out. It feels like a plateau, not underachievement; I’d keep LaFleur.

Any more surprise openings coming—Philly, Buffalo?

I’d expect Philly to swap the OC, not Sirianni. Buffalo’s defense is well coached despite injuries; McDermott should be safe.

Could Tomlin do TV for a year and come back sharper?

A pause could help him rethink staff-building. CEO head coaches win by hiring elite coordinators; time to study, visit rooms, and target cutting-edge minds would pay off.

Owners can write checks and reset fast, and we’ve seen how one right hire flips a franchise—think Texans, even the Bears’ vibe shift. With nine chairs open, big names like Brian Dable and Mike McDaniel will land quickly; buckle up.