Real question for Steelers fans I can’t figure out.

The Steelers historically have operated the same way on a player basis. Being a Steeler has had an identity and meaning as a player and outside of being a player. Blue collared, tough, and dignified. Historically the Steelers have operated on the same basis with players building this culture so much so they don’t want to play for anyone else. The Steelers with these player essentially force them into retirement when the time comes as they don’t want to play for anyone else. They recently broke ranks and kept Big Ben longer than they have done with other black and gold legends. I don’t know if this is a new norm but I could see this happening with TJ Watt too. Part of me hates this standard and part of me thinks it may be the right.

My real question lies in the fact that the Steelers seem very good at building a culture that recognizable, and they are good at keep players or developing players who fit the mold and identity. The Steelers however have not had this standard in coaching. I am not part of the camp who thinks Tomlin needs to go. He is a defense first coach and that’s an identity of the Steelers. Does he have games where the defense looks out of it, yes, when the playoffs come do we struggle, yes. But are we constantly for the past 16-17 years a franchise without a losing record, so we have playoff contention for most of those years yes. I don’t believe the standard of pushing Tomlin out applies yet. He keeps the franchise from having a losing record and is consistent. For other franchises that would be a blessing and I can recognize that if you get rid of him the replacement may be very hard. Especially because Pittsburgh has never played around with its head coach.

Why are the Steelers so good at building a culture for players and head coach but lack the ability to do so with OC and DC coaches. The last coach that really upheld the culture and standard is Dick Lebeau and before that Bruce. What do you think the reason for this is? Is it Tomlin not hiring the right coaches or is it the GM not bringing in the right players to fit the culture and mold of a Steelers? Is it ownership trying tomake a culture shift that has failed? I would love to know opinions of fans for real. We can all talk bad about Canada or Tomlin or players but what do you think is the root of the issue?