Steelers’ Tomlin to make ‘appropriate’ changes

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers went through an entire offseason a year ago with minimal changes on their roster and none on their coaching staff. Winning the Super Bowl made them hesitant to tinker with a winner.

Going 9-7, losing five in a row and missing the playoffs a season later — the first Super Bowl champion to do so since the Steelers themselves in 2006 — made certain that change is inevitable.

The Steelers’ offseason alterations began Tuesday when quarterbacks coach Ken Anderson retired after three seasons, becoming the first member of coach Mike Tomlin’s original staff from 2007 to leave.

Given the special teams struggles this season and the philosophical differences that may exist in the organization with the offense’s undeniable change of direction, there could be more.

Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians, largely responsible for abandoning the Steelers’ long-standing commitment to the run to lean on a heavily pass-oriented system, was the assistant coach who was most critiqued during the season — not only from outside the organization, but from within.

Tomlin apparently wants Arians back — Ben Roethlisberger, not surprisingly, is a major supporter of Arians — but the Steelers’ front office is not believed to be totally in agreement with the abrupt change of direction.

The Steelers’ 428 rushing attempts were the second-fewest they’ve had during a 16-game season except for their 394 attempts in 1991. Their 536 passing attempts were the fourth-most in team history.

Big changes, indeed, for a franchise that went into the season with 5,000 yards rushing more than any other NFL team since the 1970 merger.

Tomlin isn’t saying when more changes might occur. He began meeting with every player on the team Monday and will talk to all staff members after that, a process that could take most of the week.

“I don’t approach making major changes in response to our record, I like to use to use the term appropriate changes,” Tomlin said Tuesday. “Those aren’t knee-jerk reactions, those aren’t quick decisions. My mentality will always be to make appropriate changes. Big changes is not something I necessarily I buy into.”

The Steelers brought back all but two starters from their Super Bowl team this season, but there will likely be more changes than that next season.