(Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
The Steelers began the 2020 season with a franchise-best start at 11-0, but they collapsed down the stretch, losing five of their last six games. The season was capped off with an embarrassing 48-37 loss to the Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field this past Sunday night in the wild-card game.
Mike Tomlin held his season-ending press conference today and he said it's possible they could have changes with the coaching staff.
“We haven’t had any of those discussions,” Tomlin said as of right now regarding changes to the coaching staff. “Change is a part of our business. I’ll acknowledge the possibility of that.
“We’re just beginning the process of having those types of meetings and discussions that usually produce changes or non-changes. It is that time of the year. I anticipate those discussions happening and happening rather soon as we plot a course to move forward.”
Tomlin said he's still processing the loss to the Browns that eliminated the Steelers in the first round of the playoffs.
“It’s tough to swallow,” he said. “It’s tough to accept. Coming to grips with that, assessing what transpired, going through the normal things you do at this time of the year, I didn’t anticipate being here in this position."
With the Steelers not winning a playoff game since the 2016 season and having late-season collapses in three consecutive years. Tomlin knows that they can't remain status quo.
“I’m disappointed by it," Tomlin said about the first-round playoff loss to the Browns. "I understand we better make some changes in the things we do and look at every aspect of it -- schematics, personnel, our approach to business. I’m committed to that and I’m also committed to not sitting in this position.”
Offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner is up for a new contract this offseason, so it will be interesting if the Steelers renew his deal, especially since the offense struggled since Week 12 against the Baltimore Ravens and was often very predictable. Slow starts were especially worrisome, as the offense didn't score a single point in the first quarter in their final seven games. The offense also didn't record a first down on their opening position in six of their last seven games.
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