"Mike Tomlin, You Are On The Clock": Steelers Coach Absolutely Blasted By Former NFL Wide Receiver

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been under tons of criticism since well before the 2025 season came to a close. The team lost its final four regular season games, and then continued to get embarrassed in the playoffs by getting dominated by the Baltimore Ravens. The franchise was once 10-3 during the 2024 season, had control of the AFC North, and even had a shot at the one-seed in the AFC. The team fell apart, and failed to get into the win column the rest of the season. During that time, it became pretty clear that Pittsburgh is a lot further away from being serious contenders than originally thought.

Head Coach Mike Tomlin took a lot of blame for the way the 2024 season ended in Pittsburgh, but the organization made it known that there would not be any change at head coach. Tomlin has not won a playoff game since the 2016 season, and the fan base is getting more and more frustrated as each year passes by. The head coach faces a critical decision at quarterback during the 2025 offseason, as both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields are scheduled to be free agents. A Former NFL wide receiver believes this will be a legacy-defining decision from Tomlin, which he made clear on his podcast I Am Athlete.

"Here's a disclaimer - I don't know what's going on in Pittsburgh," Brandon Marshall said. "He-say, she-say, it's the media. But if Mike Tomlin messes this up, he messes up his legacy. Mike Tomlin is going to go down as one of the greatest leaders of all time, one of the greatest speakers of all time, one of the greatest motivators of all time. The thing that's keeping him from going to legendary status is what? Postseason success. Just mediocrity. We're celebrating him never having a losing season. The Pittsburgh Steelers are tied first all-time for the most Lombardi Trophies, which means the standard is winning a Super Bowl. Mike Tomlin, you are on the clock."

Marshall is from Pittsburgh, and the former wide receiver has always been a fan of Tomlin. He even showed up to Tomlin's press conference after the Steelers' Week 7 win over the New York Jets. However, just because he likes Tomlin, doesn't mean he can't criticize the coach. The talk of non-losing seasons is now meaningless, Tomlin needs to begin to construct his team in a way that can compete with the elite class of the NFL.

Tomlin's lack of recent playoff success should have him feeling a bit of pressure in regards to keeping his job. He signed an extension ahead of the 2024 season that would keep him in Pittsburgh through the 2027 season, but as the expiration of that contract gets closer there is a higher probability he can be fired after each season if things do not change drastically. 

The head coach has a ton of say when it comes to the construction of the roster for the Steelers, which means this quarterback decision could be a career-defining moment for Tomlin. If the choice is strictly between Fields and Wilson, the answer is obviously Fields among many pundits. He is considerably younger with a ton of upside, however Tomlin has been rumored to have some sense of loyalty to Wilson, for whatever reason.

Steelers' Mike Tomlin Must Produce Results

While the 18 consecutive non-losing seasons have been nice, it would be even better to experience some recent playoff victories. Most head coaches who have coached for 18 years, while only winning a playoff game in four of those seasons, would be fired. It is now known that Tomlin has a lot of control in Pittsburgh, so there is no more excuses for the constant failures. 

If the coach can't produce meaningful results soon, his current contract will be his last with the Steelers.

What do you think of Marshall's comments? How long do you want Tomlin to stay in Pittsburgh? Let us know in the comments below!

#SteelerNation