Ryan Clark has recently been critical of Mike Tomlin’s situation in Pittsburgh while still showing respect for him as a coach and person. His main point has been that Tomlin and the Steelers may have reached a natural breaking point and that a change could actually benefit both sides.

Quick Scoop

  • Ryan Clark has argued on TV that it might be time for Mike Tomlin to leave the Steelers, not because Tomlin is a bad coach, but because the situation in Pittsburgh has grown stale and the standards there are not being met anymore.
  • In a separate interview, he compared Tomlin’s potential next chapter to Andy Reid’s move from the Eagles to the Chiefs, suggesting Tomlin could have a late-career surge if he went to a new team.
  • After news of Tomlin’s departure from Pittsburgh, Clark publicly praised him, calling him “big brother” and saying he was sad to see him go but that sometimes change is needed for everyone.

What He Specifically Said

Across TV shows and interviews over the past couple of seasons, Clark has essentially said:

  1. Tomlin should “look into leaving” Pittsburgh
    • Clark told TMZ Sports that it might be time for Tomlin to “pull up stakes” in Pittsburgh, hinting that a different organization could unlock another level of success, similar to Andy Reid’s post-Philly run.
  1. The standard in Pittsburgh isn’t being met
    • On shows like First Take and Get Up, Clark has framed Tomlin’s recent playoff record and the Steelers’ offensive struggles as below the franchise’s historical standard, arguing that this is not what Steelers football is supposed to look like.
  1. It’s about fit and timing, not disrespect
    • When Tomlin’s departure became official, Clark praised his work and character while still acknowledging that “change is needed for everyone,” underscoring that his criticism is more about the situation than the man.

Tone And Context

  • Clark played for Tomlin and has often spoken very highly of him as a communicator and leader, which gives his recent comments extra weight because they come from a former player who knows him personally.
  • His view is a mix of criticism and respect: he pushes the idea that Pittsburgh has plateaued under Tomlin recently, but he also believes Tomlin could thrive again in the right environment.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.