The Pittsburgh Steelers received their Team Report Cards from the NFLPA on Wednesday morning, and once again, the grades were disappointing, sparking an uproar among fans on social media. The Steelers organization has long been considered one of the most respected franchises in sports, but recently, their struggles on and off the field have been reflected in their consistently poor report card scores.
AP Photo
Steelers Team President Art Rooney II and Head Coach Mike Tomlin oversee practice during the 2021 minicamp in Pittsburgh.
Steelers insider Brooke Pryor shared details on the team's performance in the NFLPA's third report card, where the Steelers ranked No. 28 out of 32 teams for the second consecutive year. Despite this, there’s a slight improvement: the NFLPA noted that the average scores of the bottom five teams rose from a D- in 2024 to a C in 2025. While Pittsburgh’s ranking didn’t change, the increase in their score suggests some progress in player satisfaction with the team’s environment, though significant improvements are still needed.
Another noteworthy detail from Pryor’s report was Head Coach Mike Tomlin’s impressive A-grade, ranking seventh in the league. However, Pryor pointed out something interesting—while Tomlin continues to receive high marks, not all players are thrilled with how he handles certain aspects of the team. This raises questions about the disconnect between the coach’s performance and overall player satisfaction.
"Mike Tomlin earned the highest marks of any category in the Steelers' NFLPA report card," Pryor said. "He got an A and ranked 7th. But interesting to note, players feel Tomlin is 'moderately' receptive to locker room feedback on the team's needs, ranking him 15 of 32 HCs."
What’s particularly interesting here is that this marks one of the first times in recent years where fans can glimpse some behind-the-scenes disagreement between Tomlin and his players. While it’s been widely known that many players around the NFL admire Tomlin and express a desire to play for him—something that’s been evident time and time again—it’s clear that not all is perfectly aligned within the locker room.
Benjamin B. Braun / Post-Gazette
Steelers' Mike Tomlin looks on during a snowy game in Cleveland.
Despite the players’ loyalty and admiration for Tomlin, Steelers fans naturally have a different perspective, especially considering his inability to win a playoff game since the 2016 season. The criticism surrounding Tomlin often centers on his perceived stubbornness and resistance to change, particularly as the NFL has evolved. Many fans feel that Tomlin has failed to adapt to the league’s shifting dynamics, which has fueled frustration and calls for change.
The fact that his players only consider Tomlin "moderately receptive" to feedback about the locker room is a significant indictment of his leadership. On paper, it may not seem like a major issue, but for a coach who has built his reputation on being a "players-first" leader—one who prides himself on embracing discomfort and pushing his team to grow—it raises questions.
Perhaps Tomlin believes that his players should not be content with a flashy locker room and should instead focus on the fundamentals of the game. However, in today’s NFL, where other teams are making substantial investments to enhance their facilities and provide a first-class environment for their players, the Steelers appear to be lagging behind. This is a big deal because other teams gain a slight edge by making the proper upgrades and being overly receptive to their players.
Steelers' Mike Tomlin Continues To Lack As The NFL Changes Quickly
A head coach of a professional football team being only "moderately receptive" to his players’ concerns about improvements in the locker room is bound to spark debate among the fan base. It calls into question Tomlin’s ability to adapt to the evolving needs of his players and whether his old-school approach is still effective in an era where comfort and support are integral to player satisfaction and performance.
Steelers.com
Steelers' Mike Tomlin speaks to the media during a press conference.
As the NFL continues to innovate, the Steelers' resistance to upgrading their facilities could be seen as a larger reflection of the challenges facing the team as a whole. Fans, who have watched the Steelers struggle to maintain their competitive edge in recent seasons, may now wonder if Tomlin’s reluctance to embrace change in all areas is holding the team back from achieving the success it once enjoyed.
#SteelerNation
