Former Steelers Pro Bowler has bold stance on Mike Tomlin

The Pittsburgh Steelers have famously had just three head coaches since the start of the 1969 season. One former player thinks it is time for them to start having a serious conversation about introducing a fourth.

ESPN analyst and former Steelers safety Ryan Clark said on Friday's edition of "Get Up" that after 17 seasons it is time for the Steelers and head coach Mike Tomlin to sit down and have a serious conversation about a change. The biggest reason Clark thinks it is time for that discussion is that he is not sure Tomlin's message is still getting through to the roster, especially the wide receiver room, where there have been consistent issues over the years. George Pickens and Diontae Johnson have both had their effort questioned at times this season, while Tomlin has been questioned for his handling of it.

This is the first time that Tomlin has ever been even close to the hot seat in Pittsburgh. It's also the first time there is serious outside discussion about the team needing a change. 

The Steelers have not won a playoff game since the 2016 season and are on a brutal three-game losing streak that has seen them go from the top AFC wild-card team to outside of the playoff picture. That losing streak has featured back-to-back losses to a pair of previously 2-10 teams (both at home and both within four days of each other) and an ugly game in Indianapolis that saw the Steelers a turn a 13-0 lead into a 30-13 defeat. Unless they win these remaining three games (and likely get some help), it will be seven consecutive years without a playoff win in Pittsburgh, the franchise's longest drought in the Super Bowl era.

Overall, Tomlin's tenure in Pittsburgh has been an incredible success. The Steelers have — to this point — never had a losing season under him, appeared in three AFC Championship Games, two Super Bowls and hoisting the Lombardi Trophy once. At some point, though, the lack of playoff success has to become an issue, as does the fact this is not the first time in recent years the Steelers have fumbled away a big lead in the playoff race during the stretch run of the regular season. If they end up missing the playoffs for a second year in a row, it might be time for that discussion.

Hall of Fame coach Bill Walsh once argued that after 10 years together a team and a coach should take a serious look at themselves to determine if they still work well together. 

Chuck Noll won his fourth Super Bowl in Pittsburgh after his 11th season and then oversaw 12 years of mediocrity with only one 10-win season.

Bill Cowher retired in Pittsburgh after 15 years and never gave himself a chance to burn out.

After Tomlin's 10th season, his team has had just three playoff appearances in six years, zero playoff wins and only one 10-win season. At some point the message gets stale.  The time for change might be here.