Pittsburgh Steelers legends Ben Roethlisberger and James Harrison had a lot to say about Mike Tomlin.
Pittsburgh Steelers legends Ben Roethlisberger and James Harrison have raised eyebrows after making comments about Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.
Roethlisberger said the Steelers and Tomlin should part ways after this season, while Harrison said Tomlin isn't a great coach.
"Maybe it's a clean-house time. Maybe it's time," Roethlisberger said Tuesday on his "Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger" podcast. "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, maybe go be Penn State's head coach. You know what he would do in Penn State? He would probably go win national championships, because he's a great recruiter."
The Steelers are 6-6 on the season. They are tied with the Baltimore Ravens for first place in the AFC North.
"I have never been a person that thought Coach Tomlin was a great coach," Harrison said on his "Deebo and Joe" podcast. "I thought he was a good [coach]. ... A good coach gets you to play to your potential. And right now, the players we have on that team I have seen play, they're not playing up to their potential. A great coach gets you to play to your potential."
Tomlin has been coaching the Steelers since 2007. He won Super Bowl XLIII against the Arizona Cardinals.
"Coach Tomlin's been here a long time," Roethlisberger said. "You'd give him a statue, whatever you've got to do, because he deserves it, he's earned it. But it's time to find that next guy. Who's that next guy that could be here for the next 20 years?"
Roethlisberger and Harrison had a lot of success with Tomlin, which is why their comments are surprising.
The Steelers haven't won a playoff game since 2016. Many people around the NFL believe Tomlin will not be back next season, especially since Steelers fans are now booing him at home games.
"Here's what you don't do: You don't fire a guy like Coach Tomlin," Roethlisberger said. "He's a Hall of Fame head coach, he's respected. What you do is you come to an understanding and agreement, and it's like, 'Hey, listen, I think it's probably best for both of us.'
"You go, 'Hey, Coach, listen, it's probably best for all parties involved, let's start over.' It happened with Chuck Noll, it happened with Coach Cowher."
The Steelers face the Ravens this Sunday.