The Pittsburgh Steelers have been one of the most successful teams in the NFL throughout the 21st century. They have taken trips to three Super Bowls during that time and won two of them, and they have consistently put themselves in the playoff conversation. Dynasties like the New England Patriots and the Kansas City Chiefs often overshadow how consistently good Pittsburgh has been able to be, when they actually have been the most consistent team in the league over the last 20 years.
Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Mike Tomlin walks on the field during a game against the Washington Commanders in 2024.
A big reason for the Steelers' continued success is Head Coach Mike Tomlin. Tomlin took the reigns of the team back in 2007 and he has not had a losing season yet, which many people already know. The Steelers have come close at times as they towed the line of extreme mediocrity in recent years, and that can put a lot of pressure on players. Pittsburgh's tight end Pat Freiermuth recently went on The Goat Farm Show, where he shared what it feels like playing for a coach with the reputation of Tomlin.
"I take a lot of pride in it," Freiermuth said. "I think it was my second year maybe, I think we started off 2-6. No one really talked about it, but in my mind, I was like, I can't be a part of the team, the first team, that loses."
This did happen during Freiermuth's second season in the league. It was the 2022 season, and the first year without Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback since 2003. Pittsburgh started Mitch Trubisky to begin the year, but eventually moved on to a rookie in Kenny Pickett. There was no reason the Steelers should have ended that season with a record above .500, but Tomlin found a way.
Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Pat Freiermuth scores a touchdown against the Washington Commanders in Week 10 of the 2024 season.
The 2022 season was doomed from the start for the Steelers. TJ Watt got injured after an impressive performance in Week 1, and the Steelers were plagued by the quarterback position throughout the year. Trubisky couldn't find a way to rejuvenate his career as a starter, and Pickett looked like a rookie quarterback. Eventually, he turned it on and was a big reason Pittsburgh managed to finish the year 9-8.
Somehow the Steelers were still in playoff contention going into Week 18. They had a record of 8-8 and were in contention for the seventh seed in the AFC. They needed to win their last game of the season against the Cleveland Browns, and they did that to improve to 9-8. The last thing Pittsburgh needed to have happen to make the postseason was for the New York Jets to beat the Miami Dolphins, but they fell short and lost by three points.
The 2022 season was probably the closest Tomlin ever came to having his first losing season, yet Pittsburgh was still in playoff contention until the end of the year. That says a lot about the culture he has curated within his facility, and it is obvious that it is a weight the players carry on their shoulders proudly.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Mike Tomlin coaching his team during a home game against the New York Jets during the 2024 season.
Steelers Are Off To A Hot Start In 2024
Unlike the 2022 season, Pittsburgh doesn't need to climb out of a hole to get to .500. Pittsburgh is leading the AFC North with a 7-2 record heading into a Week 11 clash with the Baltimore Ravens. This is the start of division play for the Steelers in 2024, which says a lot about how tough the last eight games of the season will be. Tomlin's team has started the year off well, but it will be a tough task to continue playing at this level against some of the teams that are coming up on the schedule.
The Steelers seem to be a serious contender in the AFC, but Pittsburgh will need to prove itself throughout the remainder of the season in order to maintain that label.
What do you think about Freiermuth's comments about Tomlin's streak? Let us know in the comments below!
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