With coaching changes made, and more possibly coming, the Steelers are running out of excuses

Fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers wanted change, and they wanted it among the coaching staff. While many still want Mike Tomlin to be dismissed, those who are bit more realistic wanted some of his staff to be replaced.

That has happened and may continue to happen.

Everyone rejoiced when Todd Haley’s contract wasn’t renewed, and there was a large majority of the fan base who was happy to read defensive backs coach Carnell Lake wouldn’t be returning to the team, stating he wants to spend more time with his family as the reason.

For those craving more change, you might just get your wish after all...

When reading this tweet by Joe Rutter of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, it becomes evident the man who signs the paychecks might not be as confident in the coaching staff returning as head coach Mike Tomlin was after the season ended. And while most will suggest this could improve the team (and it might), I view it a bit differently.

With all these departed coaches, excuses are leaving along with them.

If the Steelers’ offense was sputtering, rarely were the players blamed, but Todd Haley received the brunt of the criticism.

The Pittsburgh secondary resembling Swiss cheese more than a Steel Curtain? Carnell Lake is accused of not being able to coach up players correctly.

I’m not suggesting Haley and/or Lake don’t deserve some blame, but their replacements will expose a lot of truths about the entire situation. In other words, if Randy Fichtner and Ben Roethlisberger are able to turn this Pittsburgh offense into the juggernaut everyone expected, Haley very well might have been the problem.

But if struggles persist, maybe the issue wasn’t as much Haley as the players on the field.

The same can be said about the secondary. Whomever the team hires to replace Lake, in addition to any other assistant coach who might not return, the results during the next coach’s tenure will be extremely revealing as to the crux of the matter.

It might have been the coach, or it might have been the players.

You shouldn’t expect comments from Roethlisberger on his weekly radio show on 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh suggesting the play-calling was bad, as we heard throughout the Haley era. Why? Because this situation is exactly what Roethlisberger wanted, and if things aren’t working out, Roethlisberger will have no one to blame but himself.

Change can be essential to growth and success, but it can also shine a light on the nature of the problem at hand. Steelers fans wanted change, and they’re getting their wishes, but the results on the field will be the true litmus test of what actually plagues this Steelers team brimming with potential.