The Pittsburgh Steelers have once again started the season on fire and flamed out under Head Coach Mike Tomlin. In his now 19th season leading the Steelers, Tomlin has struggled to get his team back to contender status. He has had several seasons where it looked like success was possible, only for the bottom to fall out, and that’s exactly how the 2025 season has unfolded.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Aaron Rodgers rolls out with the football while Head Coach Mike Tomlin watches on during training camp.
Just like the 2024 season with new QB Russell Wilson, the Steelers started hot and believed they had found a solution with Aaron Rodgers in 2025. That hope, in the 2024 season, quickly proved futile as Wilson struggled mightily, and the Steelers couldn’t stop their losing streak to end the season. Those same issues have persisted through 12 games of the 2025 season, making it impossible not to place the blame squarely on Tomlin. After the Steelers were outscored 23-0 in the second half against the Buffalo Bills, the team’s underlying issues became glaringly clear. The lack of proper adjustments at halftime is a clear indicator of coaching shortcomings from Tomlin and his staff.
NFL insider Dianna Russini revealed on the Scoop City podcast what she has heard from speaking directly with the struggling head coach. According to Russini, Tomlin is frustrated with the team’s performance and admits he has not found the solutions needed to get the Steelers back on track. While Tomlin’s reputation for steady leadership has long been respected, his inability to adapt during games this season has raised serious questions among fans and analysts alike. According to Russini, Tomlin has grown sick and tired of trying to fix the issue in the Steel City.
"One thing that sticks in my mind from my interactions with Mike Tomlin, he still has the love of football in him," Russini said while speaking with former NFL quarterback Chase Daniel. "That is without a doubt. But he’s tired. He’s tired. There is definitely something to him where you’re like, 'Man, you’ve been doing this a long time.'"
Now that the Steelers have fallen to 6-6 on the 2025 season, all eyes are on Tomlin as he attempts to salvage a playoff push. The AFC North remains wide open, presenting Pittsburgh with an opportunity to climb the standings, but the team has done itself no favors in extending the gap with the Baltimore Ravens. The coming weeks will be critical, and the pressure is mounting on Tomlin to prove that he can guide his team out of this midseason slump and back into contention.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Mike Tomlin stands next to captains Aaron Rodgers and Cam Heyward before the 2025 season opener.
At a certain point, no matter how great Tomlin has been in the past, many are even arguing that maybe he has always been a little overrated.
Steelers Are A Few Mistakes Away From Being Labeled Legit Contenders
That’s what losing in Pittsburgh will do. The wild part of the equation is that the Steelers have had a couple of games they should have won in the 2025 season. Those wins would have drastically changed the outlook on how the team is performing this year.
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Steelers' Head Coach Mike Tomlin smiles while walking off the field with quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
The Steelers could have been in serious contender conversations if they had managed to sneak out a couple more victories, but instead, they’ve left the fanbase nervous and scared. Tomlin being tired is not what fans wanted to hear, but it may point to the reality that he could be ready to step away. That, in turn, could signal the start of a new era in Steelers’ territory.
After hearing this quote from Russini, what do you make of Tomlin’s comments about being tired? Do you think he has what it takes to turn things around and help Pittsburgh win a playoff game in the 2025 season? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments below! Feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me—I’ll respond!
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