The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the most storied franchises in the NFL, winning six Super Bowls in their history. But in recent years, the franchise has become accustomed to catching fire in the playoffs.
Mike Tomlin has been at the helm since 2006 and coached the team to one of those Super Bowl titles. Although Tomlin has yet to finish a regular season with a losing record, it has now been eight years since he led a team to victory in a playoff game.
The Steelers are one of the league’s most stable franchises, having had just three head coaches in the last five decades. Still, the lack of recent playoff success has led to some concerns about whether Tomlin should stay put.
Still, Tomlin shrugged Tuesday when asked if he felt like the Steelers were “stuck” after being dominated by the Baltimore Ravens in the wild-card round Saturday.
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Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin watches the first half of an NFL playoff football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stéphanie Scarbrough)
“Being stuck is kind of a helpless feeling,” the NFL’s longest-tenured coach said. “And I don’t know if I feel helpless.”
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Tomlin then acknowledged the disappointment everyone involved with the Steelers felt after the early exit from the playoffs. “I’m absolutely not in the mood to be optimistic or sell optimism,” he said. “I don’t know if that’s appropriate. You know, it’s disappointing to not be working. And that’s where we are.”
Mike Tomlin speaks 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 coming to the coaching staff – most likely on defense after the Steelers were gashed during a five-game free fall in the standings – Tomlin doesn’t appear to be going anywhere as he begins the first season of a three-year run. extension he signed last June.
Tomlin believes he’s still “capable” of helping Pittsburgh end its longest playoff win drought since the “Immaculate Reception” more than a half-century ago.
Yet he also finds himself entering a third offseason in four years with questions at the quarterback position. 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 all expected to become free agents when the new championship year will begin in March.
Kyle Van Noy #53 of the Baltimore Ravens tackles Russell Wilson #3 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter during the AFC Wild Card playoffs at M&T Bank Stadium on January 11, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
While Wilson and Fields have both expressed interest in returning and Tomlin said the team is “open to considering those guys,” there’s also a very real chance they start 2025 with their fifth different starter than week 1 in as many seasons.
Although the offense has improved – especially during a midseason stretch in which Wilson won six of his first seven starts – the Steelers averaged just 14.2 points during their late fader, barely good enough to advance to the divisional round or beyond.
Tomlin also acknowledged that he understands there is growing discontent among fans during what can best be described as his team’s “Groundhog Day” era.
“I understand the frustrations,” he said. “And to be completely 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 – doesn’t believe his message has lost its effectiveness, in part because he believes this represents only a small part of his work. . The vast majority is about schemes, preparation and talent development and in this way he believes the team has evolved.
“I’m open to adaptation and change and I have been,” he said. “So it’s not a new discussion. It’s not like I’ve been doing the same things over and over again.”
Tomlin remains committed to trying to be part of the solution in Pittsburgh, saying teams with job offers that might inquire about his willingness to move on should buy some time.
“I have no message,” Tomlin responded via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette when asked if he had a message for a team potentially looking to acquire him in a trade. “Save time.”
