“Do Mike Tomlin a favor and fire him”: Rex Ryan calls out Cam Heyward-led $163,000,000 defense as pressure on Steelers HC mounts

Former NFL coach-turned-ESPN analyst Rex Ryan has urged the Pittsburgh Steelers to fire Mike Tomlin and allow him to coach a different team.

Tomlin has been Pittsburgh's coach since 2007 and has never posted a losing season. However, the Steelers have not crossed the first round of the playoffs since 2016.

Pittsburgh is 6-6 this season after a 26-7 home loss to the Buffalo Bills and the pressure is mounting on Tomlin.

Ryan believes the coach could do with a change of scenery. He also pointed to Pittsburgh's roster construction, questioning how the NFL's highest-paid defense could perform so poorly.

"So, you know, the old adage, in 10 years you start to smell and all that, and your message gets lost," Ryan said on Monday, via "Get Up." "I don't think that's the case with Mike Tomlin. Alright. I just think right now, do Mike Tomlin a favor and fire him. He would get a job anywhere else in the league in two seconds. Two seconds.

"Here's what I know about Mike Tomlin. He's a leader. He's an absolute leader. But who would've thought that this defense would've been like this? Like it's the highest paid defense in the National Football League. They are just getting smashed. They're offensive line. I mean, brutal. How bad was yesterday?"

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Rex Ryan on Mike Tomlin: "Do Mike Tomlin a favor and fire him. He would get a job anywhere else in the league in two seconds." #Steelers #NFL

Pittsburgh is spending $163.1 million on its defense, which is led by linebacker Cam Heyward, this season, according to Over The Cap. That makes it the most expensive defensive unit in the league.

Buffalo Bills smother Mike Tomlin's defense on Sunday night

NFL: Buffalo Bills at Pittsburgh Steelers - Source: Imagn

The Bills ran for 249 yards on Sunday, the most allowed by Pittsburgh at home since 1975. Buffalo possessed the ball for more than 40 minutes and ran 191 more yards than the Steelers.

James Cook rushed for 144 yards on 32 carries as the Bills repeatedly exploited the Steelers' defensive front.

“We all have to be accountable for our gaps. It’s 11-on-11, and you have to not only have guys in the right gaps, but also tackle well,” Cam Heyward said.

The Steelers will be back in action on Sunday when they face Derrick Henry and the Baltimore Ravens.