The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the most recognized franchises in the NFL and have won six Super Bowls in their history. But in recent years, the franchise has become accustomed to breaking out in the postseason.
Mike Tomlin has been at the helm since 2006 and led the team to one of those Super Bowl titles. While Tomlin has never finished a regular season with a losing record, it has been eight years since he led a team to victory in a playoff game.
The Steelers are one of the most stable franchises in the league, having only had three head coaches in the last five decades. However, the lack of recent playoff success has raised some concerns about whether Tomlin should remain in place.
However, Tomlin shrugged his shoulders Tuesday when asked if he felt the Steelers were “stuck” after they were dominated by the Baltimore Ravens in the wild-card round on Saturday.
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Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin watches during the first half of an NFL wild card playoff football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
“Stagnant is a feeling of helplessness,” said the NFL’s longest-tenured coach. “And I don’t know if I feel helpless.”
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Tomlin later acknowledged the disappointment felt by everyone involved with the Steelers following the early playoff exit. “I’m definitely not in the mood for optimism or selling optimism,” he said. “I don’t know if that’s appropriate. You know, it’s disappointing not to be working. And that’s where we are.”
Mike Tomlin talks to his players during the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on November 19, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Jason Miller/Getty Images)
And while changes are certainly afoot on the coaching staff (most likely on defense after the Steelers suffered a five-game free fall in the standings), Tomlin doesn’t appear to be going anywhere entering the first season of a season of three years. extension that was signed last June.
Tomlin believes he is still “capable” of helping Pittsburgh end its longest playoff winning drought since the “Immaculate Reception” more than a half-century ago.
However, he also finds himself entering a third offseason in four years with questions at quarterback. Skylar Thompson, who signed with the Steelers on Tuesday, is the only quarterback under contract for the 2025 season. Russell Wilson, Justin Fields and Kyle Allen, all of whom played during the 2024 season, are scheduled to become free agents when it begins. the new league year in March.
Kyle Van Noy #53 of the Baltimore Ravens faces Russell Wilson #3 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter of the AFC Wild Card Playoff at M&T Bank Stadium on January 11, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
While Wilson and Fields expressed interest in returning and Tomlin said the team is “open to considering those guys,” there’s also a very real possibility they enter 2025 with their fifth different Week 1 starter in as many seasons.
Although the offense progressed, particularly during a midseason stretch in which Wilson won six of his first seven starts, the Steelers averaged just 14.2 points during their final slump, barely good enough to advance to the divisional round or beyond.
Tomlin also acknowledged that he understands there is growing discontent among the fan base during what can best be described as his team’s “Groundhog Day” era.
“I understand the frustrations,” he said. “And to be honest, I share it.”
The 12th winningest coach in NFL history (he will reach the top 10 if the Steelers win at least eight games in 2025) does not believe his message has lost effectiveness, in part because he believes it is a small component of his job. . The vast majority is about schemes, preparation and talent development and in those aspects he believes the team has evolved.
“I’m open to adaptation and change and I have been,” he said. “And so it’s not a new discussion. It’s not like I’ve been doing the same things over and over again.”
Tomlin remains determined to try to be part of the solution in Pittsburgh, saying teams with job openings that might inquire about his willingness to move forward should save them time.
“I don’t have a message,” Tomlin responded via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette when asked if he had a message for any teams potentially looking to trade for him. “Save time.”
