He was hired in 2007 and he's never had a losing season. That sounds awesome (at first), and it's been used to paint him in a very favorable light (rightly so) quite often by media folks. The question should be asked, "what does that mean?" Aren't double digit win seasons the goal? He's had his share of those too, 11 times. But most likely, after this season, he'll have 8 seasons with less than 10 wins. And with a closer look at the most recent past, he's only had 3 double digit win seasons in the last 7 (3 of 8 after this year). I'm pretty sure we've never heard Mike Tomlin claim no losing seasons is something to hang your hat on. That's probably because he doesn't "toot his own horn" or aspiring to mediocrity is not a good look. In the past 18 years that Tomlin has been a head coach (2007-2024), 58 teams with winning records have not made the playoffs. That is an average of more than 3 per year. How does 9-7, .500 or 9-8 look along side that fact?
When we factor in Tomlins post season record, he (and his "no losing seasons") look a lot better. 18 years, 12 postseasons, 2 Conference Championships, 1 Super Bowl win. But again, what have you don't for me lately? Since losing the SB to the Packers in his 4th season (read: 2 Super Bowls in his first 4 years, ala Nick Siriani), his postseason record looks like this.....14 years, 9 postseason appearances, 3-9 record, 0 for his last 5 (over his last 8 years, soon to be 9). He took a team that had gone 149-90-1 over the previous 15 seasons under Bill Cowher, with 2 SB appearances and a SB win (2005) and kept them more than relevant for a decade. Is it now an old message he's delivering that doesn't seem to resonate in today's NFL or with today's NFL players? Ownership is going to have to decide by March when his option year (2027) has to be picked up or not.
Like most things, it's more complicated than that. Why would the Steelers pick up an option year with the recent record they've had? A symbolic company gold watch? If they passed on the option, would Tomlin want to coach as a lame duck in 2026? He didn't forget how to coach, so it's got to run deeper than that. The Steelers front office rarely dove into the free agency market. They preferred drafting and development, mostly on the defensive side of the ball. Lately that's changed but their choices have not been the greatest. In the past 3 years they've brought in 3 quarterbacks. Two close to collecting social security than And the trades they've made reek of desperation. Perhaps as Roethlisberger recently said, both the Steelers and Tomlin would do well with a breath of fresh air. Pittsburgh needs to find a young and/or bright offensive mind. The next Ben Johnson might be too much to ask but that McCarthy guy might do well, bringing not only offensive but hometown flavor to the team. Tomlin would be great in NY where the Giants are in desperate need of some structure and discipline. Of course they'd also need a smart young OC to help Dart ascend properly.
Now watch the Steelers go into Baltimore today and beat the doors off the Ravens!!!!!
Article on option year
When we factor in Tomlins post season record, he (and his "no losing seasons") look a lot better. 18 years, 12 postseasons, 2 Conference Championships, 1 Super Bowl win. But again, what have you don't for me lately? Since losing the SB to the Packers in his 4th season (read: 2 Super Bowls in his first 4 years, ala Nick Siriani), his postseason record looks like this.....14 years, 9 postseason appearances, 3-9 record, 0 for his last 5 (over his last 8 years, soon to be 9). He took a team that had gone 149-90-1 over the previous 15 seasons under Bill Cowher, with 2 SB appearances and a SB win (2005) and kept them more than relevant for a decade. Is it now an old message he's delivering that doesn't seem to resonate in today's NFL or with today's NFL players? Ownership is going to have to decide by March when his option year (2027) has to be picked up or not.
Like most things, it's more complicated than that. Why would the Steelers pick up an option year with the recent record they've had? A symbolic company gold watch? If they passed on the option, would Tomlin want to coach as a lame duck in 2026? He didn't forget how to coach, so it's got to run deeper than that. The Steelers front office rarely dove into the free agency market. They preferred drafting and development, mostly on the defensive side of the ball. Lately that's changed but their choices have not been the greatest. In the past 3 years they've brought in 3 quarterbacks. Two close to collecting social security than And the trades they've made reek of desperation. Perhaps as Roethlisberger recently said, both the Steelers and Tomlin would do well with a breath of fresh air. Pittsburgh needs to find a young and/or bright offensive mind. The next Ben Johnson might be too much to ask but that McCarthy guy might do well, bringing not only offensive but hometown flavor to the team. Tomlin would be great in NY where the Giants are in desperate need of some structure and discipline. Of course they'd also need a smart young OC to help Dart ascend properly.
Now watch the Steelers go into Baltimore today and beat the doors off the Ravens!!!!!
Article on option year
