Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger Calls Out Media And Speaks His Truth On Mike Tomlin

The Pittsburgh Steelers treated the fans to a strong home win on Monday Night Football, defeating the Miami Dolphins 28-15 in Week 15. This victory marks back-to-back wins for Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin, coming at a crucial time as the team looks to build momentum. With the win, Pittsburgh will carry that energy into Week 16 when they visit the Detroit Lions, hoping to continue their push toward the playoffs.

For Tomlin, the turnaround has been significant. The noise from the home crowd had grown loud—so loud, in fact, that during Week 13’s embarrassing loss to the Buffalo Bills, fans were chanting "Fire Tomlin." But the veteran coach has steadied the ship, guiding the Steelers to an 8-6 record and improving their playoff chances. While the team has made strides, there is still more to accomplish. Tomlin has not won a playoff game since the 2016 season, and the pressure surrounding the franchise was enough to create headlines from even former players.

During his induction into the Steelers Hall of Honor, Ben Roethlisberger was asked about his comfort level in creating negative headlines about the team and his former coach. Roethlisberger was clear in his response, emphasizing that this is not how he views the situation. Instead, he offered clarity and perspective, highlighting respect for the team and Tomlin, and making it evident that his focus has always been on critiquing the play, not the people.

"I don’t think anything negative," Roethlisberger said while speaking to the media. "I do not critique the player. I will critique the play. Just because I said there is a time for maybe some new things, that is just me saying that if Coach Tomlin wants to move on, he has every right to want to move on. If he wants to go do something else, he can and should, and we should honor him when that time comes."

Roethlisberger came out on his podcast and made some comments. It was pretty clear that when he was critiquing things, he did so in a very respectful way. 

He even called out the media, many of whom have not played the game at the highest level for 18 years and certainly not at arguably the hardest position in sports.

"Maybe he wants to coach the Steelers for another 10 years, and that is fine too," Roethlisberger said. "I do not think I ever critique a player. I will critique a play, and I think that is acceptable. I think all of you do that also. Some of you critique players as well, which is not fair, especially if you have not played it. I have played it, and I think I am able to critique players if I want. I still think we all go out there and give it everything we have every week and every play. It’s not like guys try to do this or try to do that. As long as we do not critique the player and criticize them, I do think it is okay."

Steelers' Mike Tomlin Looking To Silence The Fans In Playoffs

Steelers fans are frustrated, and rightfully so, as the franchise is known for competing for Super Bowls but has not won a playoff game since 2016. 

For Tomlin, a postseason victory may be the only way to silence the growing criticism and win back the trust of the fan base.

With Roethlisberger's defense of the team and his take on Mike Tomlin’s future, do you think the Steelers are heading in the right direction, or is it time for big changes? Let us know in the comments below! Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me. I will respond!

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