Steelers Locked In As Top Destination For Draft Prospects As Mike Tomlin Is Revealed As Their First Choice

The Pittsburgh Steelers are stuck in a tough spot where they are a good enough team to consistently get opportunities at reaching the postseason, but have proven in recent years they are not good enough to do anything more than just earn a playoff berth, failing to win a playoff game in nearly a decade. There are many things that are likely contributing to this, but needless to say, Steeler Nation is not happy with the recent results. 

One of the largest talking points around the Steelers' lack of success has been Head Coach Mike Tomlin and if he is capable of leading them deep into the playoffs again with the chance of winning their seventh Super Bowl. Many point to Tomlin never having a losing season as a head coach as a reason why he is one of the coaching elites, and while that can be a solid argument, in Pittsburgh, the regular season "success" is just a part of the journey -- not the ultimate goal. This has led to many souring on Tomlin and demanding change.

Despite the lack of recent postseason success, many players that are still within the organization and former players who have moved on from the Steelers have came running to the defense of Tomlin. They all reiterate that Tomlin is near the top, if not at the top of the list when it comes to coaches in the NFL and speak volumes about who he is as a leader of men with his morals, demeanor, and willingness to relate to each individual on a personal level. This is something that many young football players appear to be noticing as well. 

In a recent column written by Greg Auman that was posted to Fox Sports, it was shared that based on an anonymous survey that was given to 40 different draft prospects currently attending the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine that Tomlin is thought of extremely highly among the incoming draft class. They were asked the question: "What NFL coach would you most like to play for?"

"We thought this one would be close," Auman wrote. "But we didn't realize it would be quite this close. Heading into the final two prospects, there was a three-way tie. The Steelers' Mike Tomlin pulled out the close win, getting nine votes to edge out the Lions' Dan Campbell and the Chiefs' Andy Reid with eight each."

Nearly edging out Dan Campbell and Andy Reid as the top choice from the incoming draft class is definitely a strong testament to how not only players who have been around the NFL, but ones that are on their way in still view Tomlin as an elite coach to play under. Unfortunately for the majority of the players coming in, they have very limited to no say as to where they play or who they play for.

While Tomlin's success in terms of playoff wins and competing for a championship hasn't been what any Steelers fan would like to see as of late, it is still very evident that his approach to coaching the grown men within his locker room is still a strong selling point that could influence many player's decisions on their NFL futures. 

Steelers Need More From Mike Tomlin, Especially On Defense

Tomlin is loved by players, but ultimately that is not how he is being judged when his career comes to an end. The lack of playoff success, if it continues much longer, will ultimately leave a stain on his legacy. That likely starts with much needed changes to how things are done across many facets, but where many believe Tomlin should make a strong impact is "his" defense. Many have stated that the defensive philosophy, and at times play-calling, is very much under Tomlin's control. 

Omar Khan was asked about the defense's performance given that they are the highest paid defense across the NFL, and ultimately they haven't won playoff games, so he shared the same sentiment as most fans that he isn't satisfied. Whether improving the defense is done by Tomlin improving on his own end, or stepping back and letting Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin have full control, it is clear that Tomlin needs to find a way to right the ship. 

Do you think Tomlin being the coach incoming players most want to play for matters? Let us know in the comments below!

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