the Pittsburgh Steelers It is one of the NFL's most popular franchises, having won six Super Bowls in its history. But in recent years, the franchise has become accustomed to shining in the postseason.
Mike Tomlin has been at the helm since 2006 and has coached the team to one Super Bowl title. While Tomlin has never finished a regular season with a losing record, it has now been eight years since he led the team to victory in a championship. playoff game.
The Steelers are one of the most stable teams in the league, having only had three head coaches over the past five decades. However, the lack of recent success in the playoffs has raised some concerns about whether Tomlin should stay put.
However, Tomlin shrugged his shoulders Tuesday when asked if it was as if the Steelers were “stuck” after being dominated. Baltimore Ravens In the Wild Card round on Saturday.
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Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin looks on during the first half of an NFL playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
“Stuck is kind of a helpless feeling,” the NFL's longest-serving coach said. “And I don't know that I feel so helpless.”
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Tomlin then acknowledged the disappointment felt by everyone involved with the Steelers following the early playoff exit. “I certainly am not in the mood to be optimistic or sell optimism,” he said. “I don't know that's appropriate. You know, it's disappointing not to work. That's where we are.”
Mike Tomlin talks with his players during the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on November 19, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Jason Miller/Getty Images)
And while changes are sure to come to the coaching staff — most likely on defense after the Steelers' injury during a five-game free fall in the standings — it doesn't look like Tomlin is going anywhere as he enters the first season of the three-year extension he signed last June.
Tomlin believes he is still “capable” of helping Pittsburgh end its longest playoff winning drought since the “immaculate reception” more than a half-century ago.
However, he also finds himself entering a third season in four years with questions at quarterback. Skylar Thompson, who signed with the Steelers on Tuesday, is the only quarterback under contract for the 2025 season. Russell WilsonJustin Fields and Kyle Allen — who all played through the 2024 season — are scheduled to become free agents when the new league year begins in March.
Kyle Van Noy #53 of the Baltimore Ravens tackles Russell Wilson #3 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter during a Wild Card playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium on January 11, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
While both Wilson and Fields have expressed interest in returning and Tomlin said the team is “open to considering those guys,” there's also a very real chance they start 2025 with their fifth different Week 1 start in as many seasons.
Although the offense made progress — especially during a midseason stretch in which Wilson won six of his first seven starts — the Steelers averaged just 14.2 points during their late swoon, hardly good enough to advance to the divisional round or Beyond.
Tomlin also admitted that he understands that there is growing dissatisfaction among the fan base during what can be described as a “Groundhog Day” era for his team.
“I understand the frustrations,” he said. “And to be completely honest, I share it.”
The 12th-winningest coach in NFL history — he will make the top 10 if the Steelers win at least eight games in 2025 — doesn't believe his message has lost its effectiveness, in part because he believes it's a small part of his job. The vast majority of them relate to tactics, preparation and talent development, and it is in these ways that the team is believed to have developed.
“I'm open to adapting and changing, and I have always been,” he said. “So it's not a new discussion. It's not like I'm doing the same things over and over again.”
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Tomlin remains intent on trying to be part of the solution in Pittsburgh, saying teams with openings that might inquire about his willingness to move on should save their time.
“I don't have a message,” Tomlin responded via email. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette When asked if he had a message to any team potentially looking to acquire him in a trade. “Save your time.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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