Ben Roethlisberger shares shocking Mike Tomlin take

Ben Roethlisberger shares shocking Mike Tomlin take originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Of all people, you would expect that former Pittsburgh Steelers star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger wouldn’t support the idea of the Steelers moving on from head coach Mike Tomlin.

After all, Roethlisberger played for Tomlin for nearly a decade-and-a-half and the pair enjoyed some serious success together. Tomlin and Roethlisberger led the Steelers to a win in Super Bowl XLIII and Roethlisberger made six Pro Bowls while playing for Tomlin.

Ben Roethlisberger thinks Steelers should move on from Mike Tomlin

However, during a recent episode of his podcast, Roethlisberger actually advocated for the Steelers to consider moving on from Tomlin.

“It’s being talked about around here a lot. Maybe it’s time,” Roethlisberger said. “Maybe it’s ‘clean house’ time. Maybe it is. … And I like Coach Tomlin. I have a lot of respect for Coach Tomlin, but maybe it’s best for him, too. Maybe a fresh start for him is what’s best, whether that’s in the pros (or not).”

But, while Roethlisberger thinks that the Steelers moving on from Tomlin could be mutually beneficial, he also acknowledged that the organization can’t – or at least shouldn’t – fire Thompson. Instead, it would have to be a mutual thing.

“Here’s what you don’t do. You don’t fire a guy like Coach Tomlin,” Roethlisberger said. “He’s a Hall of Fame coach. He’s respected. What you do is you come to an understanding and agreement. It’s like, ‘Hey, listen, I think it’s probably best for both of us.’ Because, listen, we’ve had the same head coach in Coach Tomlin, different offensive coordinators, different defensive coordinators, but it’s kinda been the same story.”

Roethlisberger isn’t the first former Steeler to share the view that it might be time for Tomlin’s tenure to come an end. Roethlisberger’s former teammate, James Harrison, shared a similar message recently.

“Something has to be done,” Harrison said. “I know the Steelers historically don’t move on from coaches, but I think it’s time that history be made, because right now the only history we’re making is being the worst Pittsburgh Steelers team statistically almost in the history of the organization.”

Fans in Pittsburgh feel the same way, too. “Fire Tomlin” chants rang out inside Acrisure Stadium during the Steelers’ 26-7 Week 13 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

So, will the Steelers ultimately decide to move on from Tomlin and go in a different direction. That remains to be seen, but there is certainly some support for a move to be made.