Mike Tomlin was the head coach for the Steelers for 19 years before he chose to step down following another disastrous playoff loss.
Tomlin has not won a playoff game with the Steelers in the last nine years.
When he first took over the head coaching role, Tomlin took over a very good roster. Since those players started to leave or retire, Tomlin has struggled to build a good roster.
He inherited a future HOF QB in Ben Roethlisberger for most of his career. Tomlin took over a Steelers squad that had won a Super Bowl two years before his arrival.
Tomlin saw early success, winning Super Bowl 43 and making it to Super Bowl 45 as well. However, since 2011, he made it past the wild-card round just twice in 15 years. Since Super Bowl 45, Tomlin has a postseason record of 3-10.
Tomlin has gone one-and-done eight times since Super Bowl 45.
Still, despite the lack of playoff success, the Steelers did not fire him. Tomlin stepped down.
With him stepping down, he does not leave the Steelers organization in a good spot.
Mike Tomlin’s Parting Gift To The Steelers Is A Roster In Shambles
Mike Tomlin has left the Steelers with an undesirable roster.
The Offense For The Steelers Is A Disaster
The Pittsburgh Steelers entered the 2025-26 season with Aaron Rodgers at QB. He is 42 years old and will likely retire soon.
Tomlin wanted Rodgers. He also wanted Russell Wilson in 2024, which was also a disaster. Kenny Pickett was a bust.
The most important position in the NFL is the QB position, and the Steelers do not have one. Mason Rudolph is currently the starter as Rodgers is likely gone.
The playmaking position is in just as bad a spot. Pittsburgh acquired and paid DK Metcalf last offseason and traded WR George Pickens to the Cowboys. Seattle gladly traded away Metcalf. Metcalf is not a WR1; he is more of a WR2. No other WR on the Steelers is capable of being a WR1 or WR2.
The Tight End spot is also weak. Pat Freiermuth was non-existent this season. Pittsburgh traded Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick for DB Jalen Ramsey and TE Jonnu Smith. This was a very useless trade. Both Ramsey and Smith were useless for the Steelers this season.
Tomlin left an offense in disarray. No QB, no good WRs, and no good TEs.
The Defense Is Not In A Much Better Position
Surely, the defense has to be in a better spot, because that was Tomlin’s specialty.
Well, the highest-paid defense of 2025 ranked 28th in yards allowed per game and 17th in points allowed per game.
The Steelers ranked 29th in passing yards allowed per game and 15th in rushing yards allowed per game.
Some great stats for the most expensive defense of 2025.
Cam Heyward will be 37 years old when the 2026 NFL season begins. Chances are, he retires with Tomlin gone. If not, well, he will be 37 years old next season.
Keanu Benton has gotten worse and worse in each of his first three seasons. Great coaching job by Tomlin and defensive coordinator Teryl Austin.
Derrick Harmon is the only promising player on the defensive line.
For the LB position, TJ Watt took a big step back in 2025. Patrick Queen may not be on the team anymore. Alex Highsmith is decent, but not an elite pass rusher. Nick Herbig and Jack Sawyer may be tasked with a lot more responsibility next season.
The secondary has one good player. Joey Porter Jr took a big step forward in 2025. He showed he can be a true shutdown CB. James Pierre improved in 2025, but that was his first good season. Pittsburgh does not have a good safety. Despite trading for Ramsey, a lot of the issues the Steelers had on defense this season were because of Ramsey. Ramsey looked old and struggled to cover anyone.
Mike Tomlin Is Vastly Overrated By The Media
People in the media sing Mike Tomlin’s praises. Is it fair of them to constantly praise him? Absolutely not. Criticisms of Tomlin are warranted and justified.
In addition to the playoff failures, Mike Tomlin has done nothing in the last nine years to show he is a good head coach.
- Does he hire good coordinators? No
- Does he scheme well? No. He gets roasted by other good head coaches
- Does he build a good roster? No
- Do players improve under Tomlin? No
- Does he draft well? No. The Steelers have had numerous draft busts since 2018
No other head coach would have survived nine years of no playoff wins.
In addition to playoff failures, Tomlin has left the Steelers in a complete state of disarray.
