Bashed: Steelers' Front Office Faces Harsh Criticism: "They're Not A Serious Franchise"

The Pittsburgh Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since the 2016 NFL season. For most organizations, that kind of extended postseason drought would lead to coaching changes and significant shake-ups. However, for the Steelers, not much has changed. That’s simply not how they operate in the NFL—they don't fire coaches. It’s why Mike Tomlin has remained the team’s head coach for 18 seasons and counting, along with his postseason success prior to the 2016 season.

Tomlin's ability to keep the Steelers competitive year after year is remarkable. He has never had a losing season, which is a rare and impressive feat in the NFL's ever-competitive landscape. However, the postseason has become a major sticking point. Despite keeping the team in the playoff hunt each year, Tomlin has faced increasing criticism for his inability to take the Steelers past the first round of the playoffs in recent seasons. 

Any other coach would likely be under heavy fire, but Tomlin has managed to largely avoid major public backlash from the national media. Fans in the Steel City, though, are growing increasingly frustrated with the lack of playoff success, and many are now calling for Tomlin’s job.

Former NFL player and current analyst Chris Canty weighed in on the Steelers' struggles during a recent appearance on Unsportsmanlike on Tuesday morning. Canty didn’t hold back in his assessment of the team’s current situation. He was direct in his criticism, acknowledging the Steelers' historical success, but stressing the importance of adapting to the changing NFL landscape. 

"The Pittsburgh Steelers, it's been a decade and a half since they've been in a Super Bowl. So the standard, the excellence that we've seen in that franchise, essentially excellence personified, that has now lost a little bit of its luster and it continues to do so with each passing year where they have early exit after early exit in the postseason," Canty said. "And so, I don't know what the move is, but clearly they need to be more aggressive than they have in years past because they're sitting on [their] hands, and doing business as usual hasn't gotten them to where the organization prides itself on being in terms of one of the teams that is constantly in the chase for championships."

The question of whether the Steelers are still one of the NFL's elite franchises has been hotly debated. Pittsburgh’s six Super Bowl titles once made them a standard-bearer in the league, but recent years have seen that success slip away. 

The team has consistently fielded competitive squads, but they haven’t been able to make a deep playoff run since their last championship appearance in the 2010 season. The once-great Steelers franchise is now facing scrutiny from fans who are used to higher standards. Canty continued to share how he currently is viewing the state of the Steelers.

"They got a championship-level coach, but their roster is not championship caliber, and their quarterback play certainly has been anything but, post-Ben Roethlisberger," Canty said. "So yeah, it's hard for me, and I can't believe I'm saying this because the Pittsburgh Steelers seem like they are as buttoned up, as functional as any franchise in the NFL. But the Pittsburgh Steelers, they're not a serious franchise. They're just not; I don't take them seriously."

Canty’s remarks reflect a growing concern in the NFL that the Steelers may be stuck in a cycle of mediocrity, unable to break through to the next level. While Tomlin has done an admirable job keeping the team competitive, the lack of playoff success has raised serious questions about the direction of the franchise. With a new generation of players and coaches reshaping the NFL, Pittsburgh must ask itself whether it can continue to lean on past success or whether it needs a fresh approach to regain its former glory.

The debate over Tomlin’s future is complicated. His leadership and consistency are undeniable, but as the league continues to evolve, the Steelers' inability to get past the postseason hurdles raises doubts about the franchise's future. The calls for change from fans reflect a desire for something more—whether that means a coaching change or a shift in the team's overall strategy.

Steelers' Fan Base Expects Way More Than Just Average Seasons

What’s clear is that the Steelers’ front office faces a critical decision in the coming years. If the team continues to struggle in the playoffs, the pressure will only increase. Pittsburgh’s loyal fanbase expects more than just regular-season success; they want championships. If the Steelers can’t meet those expectations, even the steady hand of Tomlin may not be enough to shield them from sweeping changes.

Ultimately, the Steelers are at a crossroads. Their historic success can't mask the fact that the team hasn’t achieved postseason glory in nearly a decade. Whether or not Tomlin’s tenure will continue in Pittsburgh may depend on how the front office and ownership decide to balance tradition with the need for a new era of success. 

The next few seasons could determine if the Steelers will reclaim their place among the NFL elite or if their best days are behind them. For the time being, Tomlin will continue to work to change the growing narrative about himself in the postseason.

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