PHOENIX -- Mike Tomlin's team has undergone some major changes since the 2018 season ended, not the least of which is the Steelers no longer employing Antonio Brown or Le'Veon Bell.
Tomlin spoke publicly about those two situations -- and a number of other issues -- Monday at the NFL Meetings in Phoenix, signaling he and the team are ready to move on from what has been a tumultuous offseason.
That the Steelers would no longer have Bell in their employ was not much of a surprise. After all, Bell was an unrestricted free agent and held out the entire 2018 season after having the franchise tag placed on him by the Steelers for a second consecutive year.
But the situation with Brown was one Tomlin said Monday he was "disappointed", perhaps most, by some of the comments made by Brown as he forced a trade from the Steelers to Oakland.
"I’ve just taken the position that we’ve taken as an organizational standpoint — that we can’t do this with hostages," Tomlin said. "We need volunteers. We need good players and good guys who want to be there. If guys can’t check those boxes, it’s probably best for all involved that we go our separate ways. That’s the only thing that’s appropriate to say about that circumstance and Le’Veon Bell’s circumstance. It’s been highly chronicled, perhaps too chronicled. I think some things have been said that may or may not be true. All I know is that neither one of those guys are members of our team anymore. I understand that and what that means, and we focus our energies on those who are and their readiness and preparation."
In that respect, Tomlin feels comfortable with his team moving forward. While Brown and Bell have been two of the best players in the league at their respective positions, both caused more than their share of headaches, as well.
Bell, who signed a free-agent deal with the Jets, had twice been suspended by the NFL before his year-long holdout in 2018. Brown, meanwhile, had turned into the definition of a "diva" receiver.
That era of the "Killer Bs," as Brown, Bell and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger became known, added up to a lot of wins. But the group advanced to the AFC Championship just once, losing at New England in the 2016 season when Bell was forced from the game in the first quarter with a groin injury.
"I think relationships run their course, and the fact that neither of them are here speaks to that," Tomlin said. "I also think we’ve got good players on our team. No disrespect to those guys, but we had a Pro Bowl wideout on our team that’s still on our team. We had a Pro Bowl running back from last year that was on our team that’s still on our team. We’ve got quality players. We’ve got good quality players specifically at those positions. Do we need additional plays from other people? Certainly. But you have that discussion and make those statements year in and year out, and we do."
Tomlin was referring to receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and running back James Conner. In that regard, the team has capable replacements for both Brown and Bell.
But, as he acknowledged, things will be different. And not just on the field, as the Steelers try to rebound from a 9-6-1 record that left them on the outside looking in on the postseason for the first time since 2014.
"We all talk too much. It’s about talking less and doing more, and not making any bold predictions," Tomlin said.
When pressed about that, Tomlin, who famously predicted a rematch with the Patriots in the playoffs in 2017 that never occurred because the Steelers were upset by the Jaguars in the playoffs, Tomlin clarified he was talking about the team taking a more businesslike approach.
"I didn’t necessarily say the team talked too much, I just meant there’s too much talk," Tomlin said. "We’re required to be professional with you guys and address questions that you guys have. The results of games sometimes creates a lot of questions and comments. We’d better address those in a professional manner. I also understand what the climate is and you’d better win football games."
The microscope also will be more focused on Roethlisberger this year, as well, after both Brown and Bell took shots at the veteran quarterback on their way out the door.
Both questioned the 15-year-veteran's leadership skills. Tomlin said he hasn't spoken with Roethlisberger about his weekly radio show, which has generated some of the negative comments from his teammates, nor does he plan to. But he expects things to be different.
"I expect growth from all players at all levels every year," Tomlin said. "I don’t think he’s devoid of leadership skills or talents. I think he’s more than capable as a quarterback. I think he’s more than capable as a leader. But yes, do I expect growth and development? Certainly. I expect growth and development based on the experiences we’re a part of. I expect it from myself from a leadership standpoint based on the experiences we’ve had."
