Four Verts: Post-Mike Tomlin Steelers will be fascinating, while Kevin Patullo was only part of Eagles' problems
The NFL's wild-card weekend, overshadowed by a whirlwind of coaching news, has left several teams at a pivotal crossroads. While the focus shifted dramatically with Mike Tomlin's resignation, the playoff exits of other clubs reveal deeper structural questions.
Pittsburgh Steelers Enter Uncharted Territory Post-Tomlin
Mike Tomlin's departure after 19 seasons marks the end of an era defined by remarkable consistency—zero losing seasons and a Super Bowl title—but also recent playoff frustration. His tenure underscored a challenging paradox: sustained competence prevented the Steelers from bottoming out to acquire a top-tier quarterback, leaving them stuck in a cycle of early playoff exits. The post-Ben Roethlisberger era, featuring stopgaps and mid-round picks like Kenny Pickett, failed to provide a championship-caliber answer.
Now, the Steelers face their most fascinating and uncertain offseason in decades. Tomlin's exit creates a case study on his true value and forces the franchise to confront its quarterback future, especially if Aaron Rodgers retires. Filling the shoes of one of only four head coaches since 1969 is a monumental task, and Pittsburgh's ability to remain relevant without Tomlin's steadying presence is the league's biggest looming question.
Philadelphia Eagles’ Issues Run Deeper Than a Coordinator
The Eagles' dismissal of offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo is a surface-level fix for a problem with deeper roots. Despite a roster laden with Pro Bowl talent, the offense has struggled with consistency for two seasons, including alarming passing droughts (11 games under 200 yards in 2024). Last year's Super Bowl victory masked these issues, but their recurrence in 2025 points to systemic flaws beyond play-calling.
Head coach Nick Sirianni and GM Howie Roseman must diagnose why a unit with stars like A.J. Brown and Saquon Barkley repeatedly stalls. With player frustration mounting and Brown's future uncertain, the organization has perhaps one more season to resolve these offensive woes before a major personnel shakeup becomes inevitable.
Green Bay Packers: The Case for Patience
The Packers' catastrophic collapse against Chicago—blowing an 18-point halftime lead—has intensified scrutiny on coach Matt LaFleur. However, the solution may be patience, not panic. A devastating series of injuries, including losses to Micah Parsons, Devonte Wyatt, and key offensive players, decimated a defense that was already struggling.
LaFleur has led Green Bay to the playoffs in six of his seven seasons, a level of sustained competitiveness that is exceptionally difficult to achieve. While the playoff disappointments are frustrating, the core—including quarterback Jordan Love—remains strong. Running it back with a healthier roster in 2026 is a defensible, if unsatisfying, strategy after a season derailed by attrition.
Carolina Panthers Emerge with Momentum
Among the wild-card losers, the Panthers gained the most. Pushing the Rams to the brink validated their late-season progress and, most importantly, confirmed Bryce Young's development into a functional NFL starter—a significant leap from his disastrous rookie year.
The foundation is clearer: Young is not a position of immediate need, allowing the team to address glaring deficiencies elsewhere. The roster, particularly on defense and the offensive line, requires significant investment to elevate from a losing-record team to a true contender. With a promising young receiver in Tetairoa McMillan and a defined path forward, Carolina enters the offseason with tangible hope and a clearer vision than their NFC South rivals.
