Former NFL Scout Poses Important Question To Steelers' Mike Tomlin: "Is It Finally Time?"

The Pittsburgh Steelers are in the middle of a rough stretch during the 2025 season. The team started the year off with a 4-1 record and a commanding lead in the AFC North, but after two consecutive losses, that lead has dwindled. Pittsburgh has put a disappointing product on the field over the last two weeks, especially on the defensive side of the ball. The group has been an embarrassment throughout the 2025 season, especially when considering the amount of resources that the organization has poured into that part of the team.

Pittsburgh is desperate to get back on track, but that won't be an easy task in Week 9 as the Indianapolis Colts are coming to town. The Colts are the hottest team in the league as they boast a record of 7-1 and currently hold the one-seed in the AFC. The defense is going to best tested once again, and the coaching staff has been under fire for the performance from that unit in recent games. Head Coach Mike Tomlin could be on the hot seat if things continue going the way that they have been, and former NFL scout John Middlekauf posed an important question to Tomlin on the most recent episode of his podcast, 3 And Out.

"Isn't it fair to ask ourselves, is it finally time?" Middlekauf said. "If you're Mike, like, why do you want to continue this? Why do you want to go along with a team that needs to be blown up, more than likely? That, even if you're able to get to 10 wins and get to the first round, you're going to be one and done. You have a 41-year-old quarterback. So there is no future. You got old guys. Even the best player on your team is kind of hit or miss now."

The way Middlekauf was speaking, it was as if he was wondering why Tomlin would still want to be in Pittsburgh. The team has a rebuild looming as all of the important pieces of the team are aging, and the future at the quarterback position is bleak. Now would be a good time for a fresh start for both Tomlin and the organization, as these types of collapses have become all too common in recent years for the Steelers.

Many within the Steelers' fan base has been wanting Tomlin to be fired for years, but it has never seemed like the organization would consider doing that. He is currently under contract through the 2027 season, but there has been reports that ownership is growing impatient and frustrated with Tomlin and the team. Pittsburgh has no chance to do anything in 2025 if the defense continues playing the way that it has, especially with the division slowly slipping away.

"Anytime you have an atrocious defense, you can lose to anybody," Middlekauf explained. "Feels like it's probably gonna happen again. And then you got the Bills not far away. And obviously, if you can't beat the Ravens, what's the point? Isn't it just time to just nuke this thing?"

The easiest part of Pittsburgh's schedule is already done with, and things are only going to get harder from here on out. Pittsburgh has two games with the Baltimore Ravens left on the schedule, as well as matchups with the Los Angeles Chargers, Buffalo Bills, and Detroit Lions. The way the defense is playing, it is safe to assume that the Steelers could lose all five of those games, which could leave the team on the outside of the playoff picture in the AFC.

Steelers Need To Start Looking Towards The Future

Pittsburgh has not been a legitimate competitor in the AFC in quite some time as the franchise has not advanced in the postseason in nearly a decade. That is not something that seems like it is going to change in 2025, which means the organization needs to start looking towards the future. This could mean a coaching change, which is something that Tomlin should almost be inviting. His time has seemingly run out in Pittsburgh.

What do you think about Middlekauf's comments on Tomlin? Let us know in the comments below!

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