Steelers Get Surefire Advice To Fix Every Problem Holding Them Back

The Pittsburgh Steelers don’t fire head coaches and they will not punt on seasons. The idea of tanking in the NFL gets brought up every year because the team does not have a franchise quarterback. Many fans argue that Mike Tomlin’s ability to keep the team competitive has become a problem, since it prevents them from getting a high enough draft pick to land an elite quarterback. His teams are always in the middle of the pack, just good enough to miss out on real change.

Tomlin’s streak of 18 straight non-losing seasons is an incredible accomplishment. It shows his ability to lead, to motivate, and to keep the Steelers relevant. However, it also comes with a harsh truth. The Steelers have not won a playoff game since the 2016 season, and that drought has started to define the second half of Tomlin’s career. Some fans now believe the team needs to punt on 2025, accept a down year, and position itself to find a franchise quarterback in the 2026 draft.

NFL analyst John Middlekauff has pushed back on that idea on his podcast 3 And Out. He warned Steelers fans that the road to a rebuild is not just difficult, but dangerous. The NFL is not like other leagues where tanking can guarantee a superstar. One bad draft pick or one wrong hire can set a team back even further. The Steelers are known for their stability and long-term thinking, and Middlekauff believes they should stick to what has worked for decades rather than gamble on a risky reset.

"It’s easy to go, 'Like, let’s just suck and blow this b**** up,' but there’s no guarantee you turn this thing around," Middlekauff said. "I am not saying you are spoiled, because you are not, and I get the frustration."

In the NBA, a full rebuild can work quickly. A team like the Oklahoma City Thunder is a perfect example. They collected draft picks, developed their young core, and now they are on track to compete for a championship in 2025. With only five players on the court and the ability for one superstar to change everything, a rebuild in basketball is often simpler and more direct.

The NFL is not built the same way. With 22 starters on offense and defense, and even more players contributing on special teams and in depth roles, rebuilding becomes much more complicated. It is easier to miss on draft picks, and even top prospects can fail without the right structure around them. Football requires more than just one great player to turn a team around. 

"I think the move is not trying to tank, because the Steelers aren’t going to do that," Middlekauff said. "Which I respect, and I am not a Tomlin hater. The dude is a fu***** stud. I do think a breakup can be healthy."

This is why Middlekauff believes the Steelers should avoid tanking. However, what's interesting is that he also suggests the team should consider moving on from Tomlin. That’s a bold take, especially considering Tomlin’s job appears as secure as any in professional sports. 

The Steelers have long valued stability, and firing a head coach who has never had a losing season would go against everything the organization stands for.

Steelers Still All In On Aaron Rodgers For 2025

The biggest flaw in Middlekauff's argument is that moving on from Tomlin would almost certainly lead to a tank, even if unintentional. No NFL player would ever admit to giving up on a season, but when you remove a long-time head coach and bring in a new system, growing pains are inevitable. Wins can become harder to come by, and while that might help draft position, it also risks damaging the culture and consistency the Steelers have spent decades building.

In the minds of the Steelers, they believe they have a win-now roster. That’s why they are reportedly all in on trying to land Aaron Rodgers, who could represent Tomlin’s best chance to finally break his playoff drought. If the Steelers do acquire Rodgers, all eyes will be on how the veteran quarterback shapes Tomlin’s legacy in 2025. It could be a make-or-break moment for both of them.

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