Pittsburgh Steelers fans have heard for years that the Steelers are the gold standard in the NFL.
No losing seasons in nearly two decades is a commendable part of Mike Tomlin's resume, but it's not good enough in the minds of the Black and Gold faithful.
And apparently it doesn't matter to Mike Tomlin either...
“It doesn’t mean a lot as I sit here today. Let’s be honest, like most of these guys that I coach, it doesn’t resonate,” Tomlin told Kyle Brandt of NFL Network. “You know, 19, 18 years ago, a lot of these guys were in car seats. And so they respect it, but it’s not something that’s of value for them and so why would I put my business on this collective? I’m just focused on this collective and what we can do together. I think i owe them that. And really at the end of the day, I doubt that anybody cares. It’s just a nice cool thing for you guys to talk about or use as an intro when you’re talking about me or hope for my demise.”
Actions speak louder than words. And while this sentiment is good to hear from coach Tomlin, the actions of the offseason from him and Omar Khan back up what Tomlin said in terms the non-losing seasons not mattering.
You don't trade for DK Metcalf, sign Aaron Rodgers and Darius Slay, trade for Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith, and extend T.J. Watt if you're not sick and tired of getting bounced from the first round.
10-7 and playoff appearances is what most teams in the NFL wish they could have. But the Steelers aren't like most teams in the NFL. They are one of the proudest franchises in all of sports, and just skirting by isn't getting the job done anymore.
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