Scout's Eye with Matt Williamson: This should get you fired

[@harrisonw10]

Pathetic. Clean house. Mike T approved that defensive gameplan and stuck with it while Henry and jackson ran down our throats.

[@NoImYou]

Matt, you touched on it but I think poor personnel usage is a trend across this entire coaching staff… Preston Smith being out last game, not using Mike Williams after trading for him, making promises to stick with Russ no matter what, playing Mycole Pruitt over Freirmuth all year, switching our highly drafted linemen from side to side but allowing Dan Moore to dictate that he’s only a left tackle or letting Kevin Dotson become a star on his natural for the Rams, playing Sutton over Bishop despite the players themselves saying Sutton was not performing… the way this entire coaching staff operates should be fireable.

[@tannerserrano6723]

I agree but in the defense of smith, who I am still optimistic about, he was brought here to run the kind of offense he runs. A lot of the players here are not well suited to that offense. I think a change at RB, a year of development on the O line, plus Fautanu in the lineup, a reciever in the draft/FA, and Fields at qb we could have something next year. He took our offense from the absolute worst in the league last year to a mediocre one this year, and I don’t think that’s something you should fire a guy with a track record for after just a year. The defense on the other hand is inexcusable

[@EastsideLegend1]

They choose Austin over Brian Flores 😂

[@JackSlatersPontiac]

Well they have too, he would outshine Tomlin and expose his low IQ , can’t have that!

[@BrooklynBear63]

Criminal

[@Keefer24]

Tomlin is the DC bud 😂

[@Boblib1970]

@@Keefer24 And they're going to choose Tomlin over Flores this off season too.

[@had0629]

Tomlin is your d-coordinator

[@joeyperrone3168]

I absolutely knew not having Zay Flowers wouldnt make a bit of difference.

[@dogtaggamer1]

Why Brian Flores was never promoted baffles my mind. Seems like Tomlin doesn't want anyone better than him to rise up

[@Keefer24]

Because it doesn’t matter, Mike Tomlin is the DC always has been always will be. He just places a puppet there to hold a clipboard.

[@shawnbrown3968]

That is exactly what I been saying.

[@tannerserrano6723]

I think it’s seriously as simple as a loyalty issue from Tomlin, he wants to give guys a lot of chances instead of being optimistic when a guy like Flores falls into his lap

[@steelersluv]

I’m starting to cool off now. We need to bring in a new d-coordinator and Tomlin needs to let that person coach with minimal interference.

[@Justin_Watson23]

Tomlin is the de-facto DC. He'll basically do what he's done since Coach LeBeau left.

[@JackSlatersPontiac]

Dude, Tomlin is the f ing team if you haven’t noticed by the results. He controls offense and defense. He doesn’t want to relinquish control. I have ZERO respect for him and ownership. I will be rooting against them for the rest of my days. Have fun with 9-8 or worse forever.

[@Keefer24]

Tomlin is the DC bud 😂

[@had0629]

That won't happen. He doesn't even let anyone handle if he would challenge a play or not, why would he give up his "expertise" of 1990s style defense

[@Mr_Fairdale]

Lol

[@ChrisB7102]

P Smith was inactive and Sutton was starting because Tomlin can’t help but outsmart himself. Even if they fire T. Austin Tomlin will just hire a puppet. I can’t support him or Rooney any longer. I expect nothing from these foolish people.

[@Justin_Watson23]

I have patience with Queen. 1st year here & he's still 25 years old. Sutton has been awful all season, & he is the representation of what drives me crazy about Coach Tomlin. Doesn't know when to move on unless it's questionable like with the QB. Tomlin is also the de-facto DC. If you have giant criticisms of Austin, you have giant criticisms of Tomlin. Full stop.

[@jefffinney4233]

I agree. I think queen shines next year with a coordinator that isn't Tomlin's puppet.

[@thomasmcgraw5161]

Mike Tomlin isn’t a very good Coach. What compounds the issue is he thinks he is. He’s a legend in his own mind. His schemes are antiquated outdated predictable the personnel he employs Is display in ignorance. How many times do you have to watch Sutton embarrass the secondary. Tomlin is arrogant ignorant and fails to adjust or change schemes everyone knows this. He just stares like it’s the players not the scheme. Can’t be the scheme because it’s his. So Tomlin will go out and get some more small lightweight DB’s. The insanity continues

[@raymondrak961]

Scheme vs execution always favors the scheme. But at some point the scheme owner (Tomlin) has to change the scheme. The fans are still waiting.

[@christianpilosi9563]

Tomlin is the ultimate motivational speaker, and if he only would hire competent coordinators and coaches and let them do their thing, it would work for everyone and the entire team would see success. And the current ownership should be saying this to him, but Art Rooney III isn't as invested in the team with passion and drive and desire as Dan and The Coach were.

[@bvee4952]

Firing Austin isn’t going go change a thing. We all know this is Tomlin’s defense and it’s going to stay that way. Same issues year after year.

[@MrGosteelers56]

Tomlin’s assistant coaches in his early years, carried him. Lebeau, Arians, even Haley. Let him just be the cheerleader coach we all know he is. That’s probably the only thing he’s good at. Other than his weekly word vomit.

[@jacktice7287]

Nailed it!!!!

[@joenobody2580]

And Cowher's carried his. Difference is Cowher could pick bright ones and keep them until they become HC elsewhere. Tomlin fires his.

[@jonahmosher3314]

Tomlin ran Arians out of town. And he clearly stated that Flores would only be there for one season. I think it’s safe to say that Tomlin is definitely insecure and doesn’t want staff members that have the potential to take his job.

[@Paul69-ry2pp]

I agree with. You, we need a complete overhaul in the defense.

[@3-4ZoneBlitz]

Thanks Matt for all the content in 2024. You have a fan.

[@gregstokes3991]

If you're sick....you sit. Period.

[@johndobbin1577]

Just proving our point… The coaches are bad! Including the defensive minded head coach.

[@3-4ZoneBlitz]

Sutton is a MT guy thats why. Same reason why we dont play Warren over Harris.

[@kayleefoster9553]

Thank you ! Mike plays and pursues for who he personally likes . Mike T plays daddy ball

[@bzo3940]

Matt, I totally agree that Austin has go and should of been fired. Would love to hear your thoughts on Pat Meyer. I feel that he's another huge problem.

[@ChacheeMalone69]

I think you’re kinda glossing over the tomlin blame. This is a guy who has been in the league since 2007. Nearly 20 years and we’re still having issues like this

[@bshafe087]

Only as our head coach since 2007, he’s been in the league even longer as an assistant on other teams

[@Mulavi]

Tomlin can't delegate worth a crap. I laugh when NFL pundits say it would be a mistake to fire Tomlin. If Tomlin goes to another team what kind of staff could he attract? Please go to another team and prove your head coaching abilities. Steelers should hire the top OC and DC candidates and then promote their best organizational person to be head coach whether they are currently on the coaching staff, in scouting, in the front office, or in the secretary pool.

[@glove8888]

He'd run that team into the ground and be exposed. Thats why it will never happen

[@bshafe087]

If he ran off to Chicago, I guarantee he’d have his first losing season. He needs a really elite team with great coaching staff to have any playoff success

[@raynman67]

James Harrison for Defensive Coordinator!! Ben and DK Both stated James called every play the opponents were running before the snap. Guy just knows.

[@joenobody2580]

Been saying this, or let him start at LB coach and sit in the box with a line down to the field and listen to the man and his input.

[@jeffreytorres1001]

I’ve always heard that Tomlin is the one who is really calling the defensive players. Is that not true?

[@ronhacker3806]

Watt said it right.. we do what they tell us to do.. enough said

[@danielecorwin]

One aspect of the staff that needs replacing is the conditioning group. Too many soft tissue issues and perhaps the illnesses might have been lessened. Not the biggest thing but still should be addressed.

[@SLOburn171]

Anyone saying we chose Austin over Flores doesn’t quite get that situation. Most importantly we’ve seen enough coordinators here to know it doesn’t really matter because Tomlin makes the decisions. Bad decisions 😂

[@rivstg13]

Great analysis….& it’s astonishing 😢

[@dougberry4535]

The current defense of coordinator has his job because the last defensive coordinator was fired for the exact same problems with the defense it can't stop the run for the last 10 years is the main problem. That's a 3/4 Tampa two problem and it's never addressed. Either they don't want to change the scheme or they don't want to pay players good enough to stop the run in the scheme.

[@KevinGatley-k6g]

There have been so many games since LeBeau left where weve run nickel against heavy personnel. This is a Tomlin thing. We did this with Butler too....its absurdly dumb.

[@wadephair944]

Incompetence. That is the steeler standard embraced by the entire franchise. Best of luck filling the seats next year at HEINZ field.

[@Keefer24]

They’ll fill them. Steelers fans are to die hard.

[@carljones8306]

This is TOMLINS defense… Williamson knows this… to afraid to call out Tomlin

[@Raxman263]

It was too important to have 4 tight ends on the active roster than Preston Smith or any other big body especially if TJ and Queen were injured or ill.

[@terrywbreedlove]

This breakdown is embarrassing. And worse I have no faith anything will be done about it. They will go into the Draft pretending all is well.

[@RunBayou]

With Trice and Smith inactive Two of your most physical backups

[@ericthurman1050]

Cam had the flu the previous game s I can understand PQ being sick. The personnell usage is my biggest issue with Mike Tomlin. Sutton over Bishop, Moon over Preston, Russ over Justin. Mike wanted to win his way with his guys. That is all I can see. He lived in his fears. AGAIN. These formation stats you are using are down right firable and it is all on Mike T.

[@bshafe087]

I agree with everything you said but justin would not have done any better in that game, people are acting like he was a rockstar or something before, russ did just passable given the offense around him tbh There’s probably only 3 qbs in the league that wouldn’t fail in our offensive system

[@balayagesalon]

The coaching staff is just not that smart .

[@yourneighbor6957]

From multiple online sports reporting sites it seems like Smith was healthy scratch.

[@rolandoriley]

When the dust is settled and you compare this 5 games against the rest of the season you find out it was the defense but not on the players. We did the job with Arthur .. we need to the same thing on the defensive side.

[@immerstahl]

Are we really to believe that Tomlin's fingerprints aren't all over the defensive gameplan? Sorry, but nothing on this team is free from Tomlin's incessant tinkering. But hey, why get worked up over it? Rooney clearly isn't, the players clearly aren't. Why should I?!

[@raymondrak961]

Rooney isn't worked up because the money flows every year.

[@immerstahl]

@@raymondrak961 Exactly--it's not affecting his bottom line, so he's not interested in making any changes. That's why I'm not going to contribute to his coffers anymore.

[@marcuswashington461]

I am trying to get there..but been a fan since 7y/o now 54y/o and for 10years we have the same problems, and team looks the exact same!! It's almost better to not have a team and just enjoy the sport..but these dudes are killing me!!

[@fletcherj.comerjr.5295]

Yes... that part. I say stop supporting this team until they make changes. ​@@raymondrak961

[@Diz33]

I was screaming go to a five man front on D..Make Lamar throw to beat us. Shame on Tomlin not changing. SMH

[@jerryyeager1307]

Thank you Matt, It was little guys getting run over or through. Poor coaching and no adjustment. Lets see if what is said or done changes anything. Awesome show Matt

[@stefanpolichetti2277]

Google T Austin’s year with the Bangles, it’s eye opening. He was fired mid season because of his inept defensive schemes.

[@Keefer24]

Tomlin doesn’t care, he just needs someone to hold a clip board.

[@shawnbrown3968]

I didn't have to watch it I seen it

[@keem7910]

Our staff are too stubborn to change the game plan. We are stubborn. We make no adjustments at all. It’s like they refuse to admit the game plan sucks so they don’t change it. No zay flowers why would they think ravens was gonna throw it???

[@joeyperrone3168]

I feel bad for all the players, especially the one's that played at less than 100 percent. They were left out to dry by poor coaching.

[@jordellfreshbreeze7133]

Keep Arthur Smith: He has a resume of at least being competent. Danny Smith is awesome. I have no thoughts on Austin; everything is overshadowed by Tomlin

[@davecolvin310]

Yeah same problem.we need a qb and oc.but im still worried about Tomlin's messaging.

[@mathfish6645]

Thanks for all the content Matt. Great work all year, made my days doing work with my airpods in much more enjoyable.

[@saldomino1639]

Every year Matt is the same crap nothing gets done it Starts with the Head Coach MT he needs to go he is preventing the team from moving on I see nothing being done which will force me to cheer for another team thanks Matt for reporting!

[@samgallup8260]

Glad to hear Queen was sick cuz his effort was beyond concerning in that game.

[@germanbear5]

You need to start to realize Tomlin is the DC and Austin is just a puppet. So have some guts and put the blame where it truly belongs. You also need to realize how Tomlin thinks. He had 5 DBs on the field so much because he was hoping for a pass and a potential INT. He has no foresight - period. That is his game plan. Don't go toe to toe - pray for turnovers as a critical part of your game plan.

[@Muskrat86]

The players were saying "we do what we're asked". And they did. And they got clobbered. That's STUPID coaching. End of Story. Somebody please mention to Tomlin that nickel defensive strategy and the 9.5 yards per rush they allowed, please. I want to hear him explain that. If he runs from it, or deflects it, then he needs fired.

[@stefanpolichetti2277]

Matt, Tomlin has made it public knowledge he is heavily involved in the defense. From the end off Dick L, Kieth B, and now Austin.

[@Aktzin]

Before that one Eagles game, the media basically crowned Tomlin Coach of the Year, and I was actually wanting it to happen. The team felt different… until it wasn’t. With this season’s collapse, Tomlin just coached himself out of COTY contention. I don’t think he deserves to have the award, and I don’t think he deserves to remain the head coach. I don’t care if we have a couple losing seasons; it’s time for a change of scenery.

[@ZenBoulder]

Tomlin is the Def Coord, and everyone knows it

[@mikec1147]

Mike Tomlin is a bum!!

[@Kevin15301]

I would like to know the details of the Mike T and Teryl A division of labor. Who decides the line-up (who puts sick players on the field vs the top O in the league?). Who calls the play by play D? Who decides the list of D calls available? Who decides who and when someone substitutes? Who runs the pre-game D meetings? Who puts together the D game plan? Who decides what, if any, adjustments are made in-game/half time? I have heard the Mike T is the de facto D coordinator, but I don't know the details behind that conclusion. I would like to know those details so I can draw my own conclusions.

[@jbatina]

That is ridiculous. People should lose their job for that. Unfortunately this is the Steelers.

[@irkay1]

Excellent analysis!

[@michaelschwarz8285]

In terms of quantifying what went wrong, I've yet to hear a better analysis than this. Thank you. And yes, it should get him or them fired.

[@chicagojoe16]

Tomlin living in his fears of giving up a big play through the air

[@biguzivertt]

if tomlin doesn’t go austin and meyer absolutely have to go. i suppose we are keeping smith but we need the right qb and the line HAS to improve

[@Dizzle0919]

exactly!! the system relies too much on individual achievement..it does not move as a unit.

[@SteelersAlmighty]

why would they use 11 personnel when you have Andrews and Likely? its not strange at all.

[@Don-md6wn]

I suspect the lower yards per play numbers of the Ravens against 3 and 4 DBs are largely a result of play calls on 3rd and short and in the red zone, where you can't get a 40 yard run to blow up your average yard per play. Just about every NFL team is going to have higher offensive yards per play on first and second down or third and medium between the 20's than they are on 3rd and short and in the red zone. You'd have to look at every play in terms of down, distance and field position versus what defensive personnel the Steelers put on the field against what Baltimore personnel to draw any conclusions instead of going on averages that are impacted by big plays.

[@jefffinney4233]

We need a DC that tells Tomlin to STFU. It won't happen. Tomlin isn't going anywhere . We may as well stop thinking or hoping otherwise. Why don't or defense let Minkah play freely? Let him be instinctive. Bring in an aggressive coordinator and play some blitzburgh style but be able to cover when not blitzing. I just don't get excited like I used to when the defense was on the field . I now freaks out bc I feel like 3 at the least is guaranteed

[@danielradebaugh9687]

I'm a fan of #93. He's strong against the run.

[@ChrisCash720]

If you always do what youve always done youll always get what you always got. Queen will be better next year imo. How you gonna bring in a FA then be like ok be new James Farrior bud... you got the mic. There is no excuse for sutton over bishop. That is on tomlin 100%

[@toddwilliams4493]

I am only a high school coach... and I couldn't believe what I was watching... I thought it was just me!

[@franktursic8398]

Finally, someone with an intelligent observation. Matt, let me ask you, is this more about personnel or scheme? Let me address this by focusing on everyone's current whipping boy, Patrick Queen. Next question, do you think the Steelers are designing their scheme to best take advantage of his abilities? Let me answer, No. With the Ravens he was used as a downhill defender attacking holes in the run game as well blitzing on pass downs. He's a space player. With the Steeler's he's routinely asked to take on 2nd level blocks against guards because the Steelers have no one on the line able to absorb double team blocks. The Ravens had guys like Pierce and Jones to keep Queen clean. Same goes for Payton Wilson, who looks to me like his best fit is a situational coverage LB. As for analytics I assume you're getting your YAC stats from someone like PFF. Let me ask you, what constitutes "contact". Take for example the run play where he stiff arms Minkah (which should have been a penalty to the face), do you believe the arm brush by HIghsmith qualifies as 'contact'. For me it does not, since it in no way impeded his ability to make yardage on that play. Instead that play was more about Ravens execution and Henry's speed thru the hole.

[@rmvutube]

This is entirely on Mike. No way a game plan gets put together without his sign off. The inability/unwillingness to adjust is mind-boggling. I'd be interested to see whether Teryl was this passive and unable to adjust when he was the DC for the Lions and the Bengals....

[@jefffinney4233]

I'm 100% in agreement but Austin did what he was told and it won't change until Tomlin does. Still the offense has to score . This isn't the 90's and early 2000s. Teams don't get shutouts anymore . You gotta score . Still gotta play d but u damn sure have to have a team that can score. Look at teams remaining

[@jimpeppyp4946]

Art Rooney Senior it’s probably rolling over in his grave seeing the new standard for the Pittsburgh Steelers franchise !!!

[@ryanjamesc9996]

Matt, you saved your best for last!! Crazy analysis 🤦🏻‍♂️ #PSFL

[@butch1dc]

Doesn’t matter what Austin does as a D coordinator. Tomlin has the final say of it. And isn’t tomlin a defensive minded coach? This is a Mike Tomlin issue. And the fact that he doesn’t have a coaching tree after being a head coach for 17 years shows he doesn’t want good coaches working with him.

[@galinswigart]

Is anyone really sure how much of a voice Mike Tomlin has vs. Teryl Austin? It just seems like Keith Butler and Teryl Austin have both had similar issues and the common denominator seems to be Mike T. This could also be said for the Offensive side of the ball. I am believing more and more that Mike has too much influence on his coordinators and that is part of the issue.

[@robertobeckh47]

Hi Matt this content and like the focus as Coaching type view thank u 🖤💛🏈😎

[@frozenyeti253]

I couldn’t understand smith being out either unless like you said he was more sick than queen

[@tiemann55]

Brian Flores for head coach!

[@codedecode878]

Mike Tomlin is the Defensive Coordinator. Teryl Austin is a hired scape goat to absord any and all criticism.

[@Tommy-ek7zd]

Matt W figuring things out in 2025 I knew in 2023. Welcome to the party.

[@davidlang32]

Butler said it wasn't his defense, all the time. Tomlin surrounds himself with yes men. Cower surrounded himself with smart and creative coaches and then empowered them to reinvent the Steelers. That will never happen under Tomlin.

[@steelermike5219]

Highest paid defense with the worst coordinator lol

[@Zack_Balo]

Can I amend one of your statements Matt? “Why is Sutton in the *league* at all?” Just as good on and off the field. Send him to the moon.

[@phantxmtv6596]

Out of all the takes I’ve seen on the internet this is actually the 1 coach I agree doesn’t deserve to be on this team

[@_S8EN_]

I wish we had an authentic look at the collapse of this team this season. Additionally, why do the Steelers refuse to make significant changes? This past offseason shows they have the capacity to do it. However, they don’t. Is this Rooney not willing to put his foot down? Do quality OCs, DCs, etc., not want to be part of the Steelers? That is why we never have a coaching tree. Is it all on Tomlin, and if so, why is he so willing to allow for mediocrity? These are questions that I feel like others have had, but yet we can never find real answers.

[@yourneighbor6957]

Lol these statistical breakdowns are 🤯🤯🤯

[@rastoniikaria8189]

It also seemed to me from the very beginning that there was little fight. Little passion. They looked kinda tired or spooked.

[@frozenyeti253]

How much of these decisions were Austin and how many came directly from Tomlin?

[@bobbyraejohnson]

Preston Smith is an outside linebacker not a middle linebacker. He weighs like 260 something dude he’s not a cover linebacker at all.

[@sleepinglady2778]

We need some good prospects. Let Khan cook. It would be nice to know well before the draft who will be the QB1, WR1, RB1 going into draft, so if not one of our current roster, maybe go for some players who are good enough to utilize their rookie year. This season was heartbreaking. But I can accept a loss to the Ravens this year. They did good picking up Henry in the off-season and been blessed with good health mostly. Next season we must get better.

[@michaelteets9206]

Austin isn't really the DC. Tomlin is. If they fire Austin they'll just bring in someone who will go along with whatever Tomlin decides to do.

[@cadejukes6065]

I just don’t get how we trade for Mike Williams, he becomes our highest paid pending free agent and then averages literally a catch a game, make it make sense

[@forestschneiter5832]

Bro Tomlin is the DC 🤣

[@scorpy1364]

The Steelers have been outscored 73-0 in the first quarter of the five consecutive first-round exits, of course lets blame the def coordinators every time

[@glove8888]

We hear constantly that Mike Tomlin over sees the defense and is basically the DC, how does he allow that to happen?

[@thomasvarney5758]

IMO take the green dot from Queen. His best season was when Roquan took over the mic and he could just do Jedi shit

[@garywible6251]

They need to remove Tomlin entirely from the Defense! Hire an outside DC . You will see a difference!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@kenearnest3921]

50 year Steelers fan here. 1. New D coordinator 2. New offensive line coach 3. Najee gone 4. Trade Pickens 5 Dan Moore gone 6. Broderick to left tackles see if it works 7. Sutton gone (should never brought him back) 8. Trade Minkah 9. Russ gone 10. Draft Tyler Warren from Penn State 🙏

[@avery465]

Why put BJ at left, the more important spot, when he's been God awful this year at right....

[@jacktice7287]

Cam and Russ on a package deal. As good as Pickens is once he leaves the Steelers it’ll effectively mark the end of his career. No other franchise will put up with his antics. Much like the rest who left. Tomlin doesn’t discipline his players which is another fault

[@ChacheeMalone69]

@@avery465left is his natural position. He had never played RT very much before getting to pittsburgh

[@kdogg2077]

Tomlin doesn't go for that adjustment stuff.

[@Steelerss]

Preston Smith was also inactive vs. Chiefs.

[@DIGMyers]

That's one of the consistent problems with Tomlin and his coaching staff through the years of one and done in the playoffs. They never adjust and believe in the scheme and game plan they had in place to start the game and stick with it expecting the players to play through it even though its clearly not working.

[@toddwalter6849]

Everything changes when a playmaking quarterback comes in who can extend plays. Even Belichek couldnt build a defense without Brady around..