The Pittsburgh Steelers have been fortunate to have only had three head coaches since 1969: Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher, and Mike Tomlin. In a league where head coaches are often fired quickly, the Steelers stand out for their commitment to stability. This strategy has undoubtedly paid off, with the franchise securing six Super Bowl trophies under these three coaches. Tomlin, in particular, has led the team with consistency, famously never posting a losing season throughout his career.
AP
Steelers' Mike Tomlin speaks with his former player Ryan Clark during a scouting event at LSU.
However, despite his winning record, Tomlin hasn’t led the Steelers to a playoff victory since the 2016 season, a drought that has caused frustration among some fans. Many feel that while Tomlin’s consistency has been valuable, the lack of recent postseason success has led the team toward a sense of mediocrity. As a result, a portion of the fanbase has grown increasingly critical, questioning whether Tomlin’s tenure has run its course.
Former Steelers safety Ryan Clark recently came to Tomlin’s defense, addressing fans’ frustrations on ESPN’s Unsportsmanlike. Clark called for fans to show more gratitude, reminding them of Tomlin’s value. Clark called out the fans of Pittsburgh who don't appreciate Tomlin's greatness.
"You do know the only people that don't like Mike Tomlin are people in Pittsburgh, right?" Clark said. "There's no way you should be getting ridiculed. Everybody else in the entire world wants Mike Tomlin to coach their football team. There's no one that is turning Mike Tomlin down to be their head coach if they have a vacancy."
The national media often argues that Steelers fans shouldn’t complain about Tomlin, pointing out how highly sought-after he’d be if he were ever available for a coaching job.
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Steelers' Mike Tomlin coaching during Week 1 against the Falcons.
While that may be true, it doesn’t mean Steelers fans have to be content without postseason success. It’s been years since the team’s last playoff win, so a measure of criticism is understandable among Steeler Nation. Clark continued to call Pittsburgh fans spoiled.
"Because Pittsburgh is spoiled, right?" Clark said. "When you win six championships and when you feel like you should consistently be competing for the AFC Championship, you should always have an opportunity to win the Lombardi, getting to the playoffs isn't enough. They actually forget that Bill Cowher was there for 14 years before he won it. They're going to find any way or any narrative to create that, 'Oh, Tomlin won with Coach Cowher's players.' That's not how it works because he's remained ultimately consistent, he's never been at the top of the draft to go get that other quarterback, so you try it with the Kenny Picketts."
Tomlin was fortunate to have Ben Roethlisberger as his quarterback for most of his coaching career in Pittsburgh. Since Roethlisberger’s retirement, the Steelers' offense has struggled to recapture the magic it once had.
Another major critique of Tomlin’s tenure is his inability to make a deep playoff run with the trio of Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, and Le'Veon Bell, despite their immense talent.
Steelers' Mike Tomlin Must Win A Playoff Game In 2024
Throughout his career, Tomlin has coached both highly talented teams and rosters with significant challenges. Regardless, he consistently gets his teams ready to compete, giving Steelers fans a solid chance to win every season. While he’s been a highly successful head coach, fans understandably feel frustrated by the recent lack of postseason success. The time is ripe for Tomlin to end this playoff drought and lead the Steelers on a deep run.
If Tomlin doesn’t deliver in the 2024 season, fan dissatisfaction will only grow louder, with some calling for a change. The pressure is undeniably on for Tomlin to prove he can take this team further in the postseason, making this a pivotal year in his tenure with Pittsburgh.
The Steelers extended Tomlin so he will be coaching through the 2027 season. He's done a great job so far in 2024 and is even a favorite to win Coach of the Year. None of that will matter if the Steelers don't win a playoff game in 2024.
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