The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the NFL’s most heralded franchises, having won six Super Bowls in their history. But in recent years, the franchise has become accustomed to flameout in the postseason.
Mike Tomlin has been at the helm since 2006 and coached the team to one of those Super Bowl titles. Although Tomlin has never finished a regular season with a losing record, it has now been eight years since he led a team to victory in a play-off match.
The Steelers are one of the most stable franchises in the league, having had just three head coaches in the past five decades. Still, the lack of recent playoff success has raised some concerns about whether Tomlin should remain in place.
Still, Tomlin shrugged Tuesday when asked if it feels like the Steelers are “stuck” after being dominated by the Baltimore Ravens in the wildcard round on Saturday.
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Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin watches during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
“Being stuck is kind of a helpless feeling,” said the NFL’s longest-running coach. “And I don’t know that I feel helpless.”
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Tomlin then acknowledged the disappointment everyone involved with the Steelers felt after their early playoff exit. “I have absolutely no interest in optimism or selling optimism,” he said. “I don’t know if that’s appropriate. You know, it’s disappointing not to be working. And so that’s where we are now.’
Mike Tomlin talks to 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 there are certainly changes coming to the coaching staff — most likely on defense after the Steelers were torn through the standings during a five-game freefall — Tomlin appears to be going nowhere as he enters the first of a three-year season. extension he signed last June.
Tomlin believes he is still “capable” of helping Pittsburgh end its longest playoff drought since the “Immaculate Reception” more than half a century ago.
Yet he also finds himself in a third offseason in four years with questions at quarterback. Skylar Thompson, who signed with the Steelers on Tuesday, is the only quarterback under contract through the 2025 season. Russell WilsonJustin Fields and Kyle Allen – who all played during the 2024 season – will all 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 the AFC Wild Card Playoff at M&T Bank Stadium on January 11, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
While Wilson and Fields both 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 starter 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, barely good enough to advance to the divisional round or beyond.
Tomlin also acknowledged that he understands discontent growing among the fanbase during what can best be described as his team’s “Groundhog Day” era.
“I understand the frustrations,” he said. “And honestly, I share it.”
The 12th-winningest coach in NFL history — he will reach 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 are about schedules, preparation and talent development and in those ways he believes the team has evolved.
“I am open to adapting and changing and that is what I have done,” he said. “And so it’s not a new discussion. It’s not like I’ve done the same things over and over again.”
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Tomlin remains intent on being part of the solution in Pittsburgh, and says teams with vacancies who could 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 for a team potentially looking to acquire him in a trade. “Save your time.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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