The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the most historic franchises in the history of the National Football League, and the fact that they've only had three head coaches in the last 55 years support that. Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh's head coach since 2007, is going into his 18th season with the Black and Gold. While he is considered as one of the league's finest and withholds two Super Bowl rings (one as an assistant and one as a head coach), his greatness as the man in charge continues to be questioned. The Steelers haven't won a playoff game since the 2016 season, and for Tomlin to earn the respect that some believe he deserves, they need to change that this season.
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Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin during a preseason matchup in Acrisure Stadium.
Last season, the Steelers somehow managed their way into the postseason after looking dead in the water at 7-7. Much of that credit is given to Tomlin, considering the Steelers' poor quarterback situation. Unfortunately, it would wind up as just another loss added to Tomlin's latest failures in the playoffs. The Steelers now enter the 2024 season with a ton of pressure and huge playoff aspirations with an impatient fan base.
Kyle Brandt, a member from NFL Network, shared his favorite storylines for NFL coaches this season. With the Steelers yearning for some playoff success, Brandt saved a spot for Tomlin on his list. Brandt explained why Tomlin can't end this season without a postseason win.
"He doesn't win in the playoffs," Brandt claimed. "He's one of these guys that everyone likes and everyone thinks he's one of the best coaches, but it's like, 'Hold on. If he's one of the best coaches, how come he never wins playoff games?' I know we like him and he's cool and everything, but I think he has to this year. I think Tomlin has to coach his butt off, another without a playoff win and it's like, 'I thought we were the Pittsburgh Steelers?'"
Tomlin's reoccurring losses in the playoffs have been on the minds of Steelers fans for years. The Steelers were once one of the most feared teams in the NFL, hosting playoff games almost every year. Now, there aren't too many teams afraid of them, especially because of their ongoing struggling offense.
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Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin during warmups before a game in Pittsburgh.
Tomlin and the front office showed a big sense of urgency this offseason when they replaced every quarterback on their roster. Russell Wilson and Justin Fields are in the midst of a QB competition in efforts to lead this team to the promised land. The two quarterbacks will make their last push for QB1 this weekend in the preseason finale against the Detroit Lions.
Steelers' QB Preseason Performances Concerning Steeler Nation With Playoff Hopes
For the Steelers to start winning in the playoffs again, it begins with improvement at quarterback. The last few postseason losses were with Mason Rudolph and an aging Ben Roethlisberger under center. The Steelers brought in Wilson and Fields in hopes that one of them can be the difference between winning or losing another playoff match. Through two preseason games though, neither quarterback has impressed. Between Wilson and Fields, neither have put together a single touchdown drive to this point, which is extremely concerning.
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Steelers QBs Russell Wilson (3) and Justin Fields (2) before their preseason game versus the Bills.
The Steelers travel to play the Lions on Saturday at 1:00 P.M. ET, which will be their final preseason game before the regular season kicks off. Wilson, who remains in pole position for the starting job, has a chance to put the competition to bed. If Wilson's performance Saturday is a rerun of his latest, Fields will have an opportunity to sway Tomlin's opinion. Both quarterbacks are on the hot seat in Pittsburgh already.
Whoever the quarterback ends up being for the majority of the 2024 season, their job is to get to and win in the postseason. If Tomlin comes away without a victory in the playoffs yet again, there will be some serious questions in the Steel City. What do you think of Tomlin's current playoff win drought? Let us know below.
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