The Pittsburgh Steelers entered the 2024 season with low expectations. Many national pundits predicted they'd finish last in the AFC North and miss the playoffs. However, things took a surprising turn as the Steelers started 10-3, with Head Coach Mike Tomlin even in the Coach of the Year conversation. But the wheels quickly came off, and the Steelers lost four straight regular season games, finishing 10-7.
Benjamin B. Braun / Post-Gazette
Steelers' Mike Tomlin looks on during a snowy game in Cleveland.
Despite the late-season slide, the Steelers had already secured a playoff spot. However, they limped into the postseason and were blown out by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round. Going from Super Bowl contenders to losing five straight to close the year created an uproar among fans.
Many Steelers supporters were frustrated, even though the team technically overachieved in 2024. They felt the Steelers underachieved in the biggest moments, and unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened. It seems like every season, Tomlin's teams collapse late in the year. Former NFL scout Daniel Jeremiah recently appeared on the Shek Show with Dave Dameshek, where he explained the exact reason he believes Tomlin-led teams struggle as the season progresses.
"They look like a dead-legged team," Jeremiah said via the Sheck Show on Apple Podcasts. "They look tired and exhausted, which to me is reason to at least consider studying practices in terms of how aggressive you want to go in training camp."
Tomlin is known for his brutally tough practices, which begin in training camp. He doesn’t follow the modern-day NFL approach when it comes to preparing his players and running practices.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin calls out players in practice.
While Jeremiah appreciates the old-school mentality that Tomlin and the Steelers bring, he believes it may actually be to their detriment.
"I love going to Steelers' camp because it is like an old school [camp]. I mean, they are hitting their own pads, and they come out the gates hot because they're so weathered and worn with how they approach it," Jeremiah said. "But this is a lot of evidence now of them faltering and falling apart late in the season. So maybe there's something they need to look into from that standpoint of trying to maintain their legs a little bit because they just look tired and slow."
The first step is evaluating how much truth there might be in Jeremiah’s claim that the Steelers’ grueling practices are the reason they collapse down the stretch. In 2024, the Steelers certainly appeared worn down in crucial games, leading some fans to believe Tomlin wasn’t motivating his players effectively and that his message had grown stale. But could it be that his players were simply too physically drained to compete, while other teams became more strategic in their recovery methods?
Steelers' Mike Tomlin Might Be Overworking His Players
It’s a surprising thought, but one that deserves further examination. Jeremiah believes there’s solid data to back up his argument, pointing to a pattern of late-season collapses under Tomlin’s leadership. While there may be some truth to his claim, it’s possible that the issue runs deeper than just physically exhausted bodies.
AP Photo / Stephanie Scarbrough
Steelers' Mike Tomlin looks on during a tough game against the Ravens.
By the end of every regular season, every team is worn out. While it’s unlikely that Tomlin’s practices, starting in training camp, are the sole cause of these late-season struggles, they could certainly play a role. It will be interesting to keep an eye on how Tomlin-led teams perform down the stretch in the future. If another collapse occurs, then maybe Jeremiah’s perspective on the issue will hold more weight.
Either way, Steelers fans are beyond frustrated with the late-season collapses. Every team is banged up and tired by the end of the season, but that’s no excuse for the Steelers’ failures. Even though they technically overachieved in 2024, not winning a playoff game since 2016 shows that whatever the Steelers are doing, particularly under Tomlin, isn’t working.
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