After 19 years the Pittsburgh Steelers are on the hunt for a new head coach after Mike Tomlin stepped down as the man on the sidelines, a place where he stood since 2007 when he was hired after Bill Cowher retired. Cowher had replaced Chuck Noll who had been the coach since 1969. That’s 56 years of Steelers football with just three head coaches. That’s an incredible stat.
When Steelers fans remember Mike Tomlin’s reign in Pittsburgh two things will immediately come to mind. First is the well-known fact that in each of his 19 seasons he NEVER had a losing record. Not once did his teams finish under .500. With that incredible streak of winning seasons comes his playoff record. In 19 seasons he won eight playoff games but lost 12 including the last seven, six straight which came in the first round.
This is where the criticism of Mike Tomlin lies. His playoff record. With only four head coaches since 1968 (Bill Austin, Bill Cowher, Chuck Noll, and Tomlin) Bill Austin was fired in 1969 to make room for Chuck Noll. “Chaz” as famous Pittsburgh sportscaster the late Myron Cope referred to him as, had a winning percentage of .667 in the post season bringing four Super Bowl trophies to Pittsburgh.
Noll won 16 playoff games and lost just eight. Bill Cowher came close with 12 victories and nine defeats for a won/loss percentage of .570. “The Chin” Bill Cowher also won one Super Bowl and lost in another. Tomlin? Nearly opposite of Cowher with just eight victories against 12 defeats and a winning percentage of .400. Like Cowher, Tomlin does have one Super Bowl victory and one loss, but when Tomlin’s team became NFL champions the roster was chocked full of players that Bill Cowher and Kevin Colbert were responsible for bringing onboard.
Now if you look at regular season records then surely Mike Tomlin deserves some accolades. He ended his Steelers coaching career with the same amount of victories Chuck Noll had led his teams to (193) and did it in four less seasons. His .628 winning percentage is higher than that of Noll (.628 to .566) and better than Cowher (.620). Noll has the ninth most wins in history with Tomlin right behind him. Bill Cowher is 25th on the all-time list and Bill Austin 228th.
Again, Steelers fans will first remember Mike Tomlin’s playoff record and failure to get past the first round in his final six tries before they give his regular season results any credibility. His eight playoff wins came in 2009 (Chargers and Baltimore and the Super Bowl against the Cardinals), 2011 when he won twice against the Ravens and Jets only to lose to none other than Aaron Rodgers and the Packers in the Super Bowl. Then in 2016 the Steelers defeated the Bengals, and the following season defeated the Dolphins and Chiefs.
But Tomlin has suffered a dozen post season defeats that began in 2008 when Pittsburgh lost to Jacksonville, that Super Bowl loss in 2011, the incredible loss to Denver and Tim Tebow in overtime, to the Ravens in 2015, Denver again a season later, and in 2017 a loss to the New England Patriots. 2018 saw a shootout loss to the Jaguars 45-42 which also became the first time in Steelers history they had lost twice at home to the same team in the same season.
The Patriots game and then the Jags game were in the first round of the playoffs. Those games began the awful streak of first round exits. The Steelers would then lose in the first round to Cleveland in 2021, the Chiefs a season later, then that embarrassing loss to Buffalo in 2024, the Russell Wilson led loss to Baltimore last season and then the total humiliating loss to Houston just a week or so ago.
Worse for Mike Tomlin is how he lost in those 12 playoff defeats. In the first quarter of all his losses, the Steelers have been outscored 100-26. In the second quarter a deficit of 131-69. That means by halftime of all losses, Pittsburgh was down by an average score of 21-7. The Steelers were always in a position to have to fight back to get in the game and outscored opponents in the third quarter of games lost 64-60 and scored only two points less in the final quarter 107-105.
What about Tomlin’s eight victories? The Steelers outscored opponents in those eight games 206-148 and did better in the first quarter by putting 50 points on the board while the other team was scoring only 31. They doubled the teams they were facing in the second quarters 63-30 and walloped teams in the third period 49-10. But the final quarter presented danger as they allowed 77 points to opponents while only scoring 44.
Mike Tomlin’s six game first round losing streak is not just about how many points his defense and results of turnovers produced for the other team but the final scores. Since the shootout to Jacksonville that the Steelers lost 45-42 in 2018, Pittsburgh has lost to Cleveland 48-37 and then in the last four it was all downhill. First came the lost to Kansas City 42-21, Buffalo by a margin of 31-17, Baltimore 28-14 (but the score does not reflect the domination put on by the Ravens), and then this year’s 30-6 fiasco to the Texans.
The other problem some may have with Mike Tomlin is his draft classes. From the time he was hired in 2007, Mike Tomlin had the assistance of Kevin Colbert as his General Manager and after that Omar Khan took over. There have been plenty of misses in his 19 draft classes, he hit on several picks, and then most were just selections of mediocre players which has led some to believe he is not so talented in judging talent.
In his very first season as head coach in 2007, Tomlin and Colbert’s first round draft pick was linebacker Lawrence Timmons. The pick in the second round was a defensive end who became a linebacker and that was LaMarr Woodley. Those two would become staples on the Steelers defense. Excellent picks, outstanding careers. The rest of that inaugural class were duds. Tight End Matt Spaeth never became a significant receiver. Daniel Sepulveda remained the starting punter for several seasons but was more well known for throwing a monstrous block while playing at Baylor University.
Ryan McBean came in the fourth round of the ’07 draft. Ryan who? The final three picks were Cameron Stephenson, William Gay, and Dallas Baker. Aside from Gay the other two players were washouts. Gay never achieved the shut down status that was expected of him. A year later not one player in the draft ever developed into anything close to star status. Rashard Mendenhall was the top pick and never became a steady running back and later on caused more issues off the field than on.
In the second round of Tomlin’s second draft the Steelers drafted Limas Sweed when in the first round they could have drafted Jordy Nelson who lasted until the second round and went on to be a stud receiver with Green Bay. Sweed had promise that never developed and the rest of the draft class never made an impact on the team. The only standout player in 2009 was Mike Wallace who as a wide receiver had solid seasons but ended up leaving the Steelers a few years later.
In 2010, the Steelers draft honchos had their best draft to date giving Mike Tomlin a possible Hall of Fame center in Maurkice Pouncey with the first overall pick. Jason Worilds came next and he was a very good linebacker for several seasons until he decided to retire early to become a Jehovah’s Witness. Emmanuel Sanders was drafted in the third round and became a steady receiver who would also leave via free agency after a few seasons. The biggest surprise came in the sixth round when Antonio Brown was still available and Pittsburgh scooped him up. Brown became one of the most dangerous receiving weapons in the league but eventually became an extreme head case to the point he is now under arrest for attempted murder.
2011 brought to the Steelers another player in the first round most likely headed for the Hall of Fame one day. That was Cameron Heyward. No other player drafted for the 2011 season was of any significance. The 2013 draft resulted in the most misses by the Steelers in bringing viable talent to the team. Pittsburgh’s first round pick was linebacker Jarvis Jones with the 17th pick overall. However, Mike Tomlin could have drafted Cordarrelle Patterson who would come to the team after he was past his prime but was one of the most dangerous return men in the NFL during his best years.
The Steelers also passed on Darrius Slay who was the 36th pick and would become a Steeler in 2025 when he too had his best days behind him. DeAndre Hopkins, a stud receiver, came after the Steelers pick at 27th overall. Then there was Keenan Alan who lasted until the third round but certainly could have helped the Steelers. Le’Veon Bell did come to the Steelers in the second round and was outstanding until he had a contract dispute and career in the NFL was coming to a premature halt when he tried to return to the league after sitting a season on the sidelines. In trying to find a future replacement for Ben Roethlisberger, Landry Jones was drafted and he never started on a regular basis anywhere in the league.
A year after Bell joined the team Ryan Shazier became the first overall pick and if not for a career ending injury, he may have had a stellar career as a Steeler and perhaps even be a hall-famous candidate. But his devastating injury cut his NFL life short. Stephon Tuitt had a few good seasons then fizzled. Martavis Bryant became a head case. The 2015 draft was a complete washout with Bud Dupree leading the class in the first round and never becoming a significant player. The Steelers could have had Stefon Diggs join the team as he was undrafted or could have drafted Tyler Lockett who was available.
There was no future talent picked in 2016, but a year later on came T.J. Watt, with the first overall pick and his career stats speak volumes. The follow-up to Watt was JuJu Smith Schuster but instead Tomlin could have drafted Cooper Kupp who lasted till the third round. Who would you have drafted? Schuster or Kupp? Uh huh. Pittsburgh did grab another quarterback in the fourth round, Joshua Dobbs a serviceable backup and nothing more.
When the 2018 draft rolled around the Pittsburgh Steelers and 30 other teams may have absolutely blown their first-round draft picks when they avoided picking Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson. He was the final pick in the first round and for the Steelers they opted to go with Terrell Edmunds in the first round. STUPID. Their next six picks were nothing burgers with the exception perhaps in the picking of Mason Rudolph who has been a decent backup quarterback.
2019 was yet another draft class of no significant players but with the Steelers having the 28th pick overall Pittsburgh could have drafted Deebo Samuels who was still there in the second round finally getting chosen with the 36th pick in that round. Not only did the Steelers whiff on Lamar Jackson, in 2020 they could have had a solid replacement for Big Ben Roethlisberger when he retired by drafting Jalen Hurts. Hurts, who has won a Super Bowl, was drafted by the Eagles in 2020 with the 53rd pick overall in the second round.
Pittsburgh that year did not have a first round pick so in the second round they used their 49th pick overall to draft Chase Claypool who can be considered a bust. They did get Alex Highsmith that year, so the draft class was not a total failure.
As we get closer to Mike Tomlin’s final season in 2025, four years ago the Steelers’ first two draft picks in 2021 were pretty solid. First it was Najee Harris who would put together four solid seasons before becoming a Charger and the second round gave us Pat Freiermuth. The only other player drafted still making an impact came in the final round with the selection of punter Pressley Harvin. Isaiahh Loudermilk is trying to make an impact at defensive end.
With Ben Roethlisberger retiring after the 2021 season, the Steelers were ill-prepared to have his replacement ready. So, they drafted Kenny Pickett in the first round of the 2022 draft and gave him an amazing wide receiver in the second round by choosing George Pickens. Both players are now ex-Steelers. That tells the whole story. Calvin Austin III came in the fourth round, but the word is he may not be coming back in 2026. Connor Heyward was drafted in the sixth round, but he is only a part time player and special teamer.
DeMarvin Leal has shown promise but guess who the Steelers could have drafted that year that every single team passed on until the draft’s very last pick? Brock Purdy. Shame on the Steelers and 30 other teams that didn’t give him a thought until San Francisco made him that year’s “Mr. Irrelevant” and the rest is history.
Mike Tomlin had three more drafts before he resigned in January 2026 and three years ago, he used the first pick in the draft for the Steelers to snatch up Broderick Jones. Jones has yet to reach his full potential. An injury ended his 2025 season prematurely. However, Joey Porter Jr. was drafted in the second round of the 2023 draft, and he did not yield one touchdown this past season. Perhaps the 2023 draft was Tomlin’s best. Not only did he get Porter, but he also landed Keeanu Benton, Darnell Washington, Nick Herbig, and Spencer Anderson. If not for injuries, Cory Trice might be included.
Last year Troy Fautanu was the first pick overall and he missed his entire rookie season with an injury. This season he returned and played the entire season and was excellent. Zach Frazier came after him and he is on his way to becoming the next great Steelers center following in the footsteps of Ray Mansfield, Mike Webster, Dermontti Dawson, and Maurkice Pouncey. Roman Wilson came in the third round but has been a disappointment but perhaps more so because of Tomlin’s decision not to use him as much or give him more opportunities. Payton Wilson is on track to become a great linebacker. Mason McCormick came in the fourth round of the 2024 draft and was a pleasant surprise. But the Steelers could have had Xavier Worthy in the first round, however given the short career of Fautanu and how he played this season the right decision was made.
That brings us to 2025 and Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan trying to go “all in” for the season desperate to get to the playoffs and win a game. They played a long waiting game for Aaron Rodgers to sign as the future hall of famer was also waiting to see if the Minnesota Vikings would sign him. They didn’t and Rodgers finally succumbed and signed with Pittsburgh. The then 41-year-old now 42 did show signs of still “having it” but in the end once the playoffs arrived, his age and inability to escape reared its ugly head and the Houston Texans gave the Steelers a sixth straight first round exit.
The 2025 draft brought Derrick Harmon to the defensive line, and he helped the run defense tremendously. Kaleb Johnson did not get enough playing time to make a judgement and his rookie season was plagued and will be remembered for his special teams gaffe. I’m high on Jack Sawyer, he is a prototypical Steelers linebacker and has a bright future ahead. Yahya Black made an impact in the post season, and we do not know if Will Howard is the quarterback of the future.
As the Pittsburgh Steelers season came to a thudding halt by losing to the Houston Texans 30-6 in the wild card round of the playoffs, a day later Mike Tomlin resigned as head coach. Now the search is on for the next coach to replace Tomlin. What Tomlin leaves behind is a team that in my opinion is underachieving and with a vacancy at quarterback as no one expects Aaron Rodgers to return without Mike Tomlin as coach.
Will Tomlin coach again? That remains to be seen but he has indicated he would at least take a year off. All that is left for Steelers fans is to remember Mike Tomlin as being a head coach that had 19 consecutive winning seasons but more importantly a losing record in the post season. Is he the greatest head coach in Steelers’ history? I don’t believe that is an argument or discussion that can be made.
Chuck Noll was a master of finding talent. He built a 1970s dynasty that is considered some of the greatest teams in history with a long list of talented players. Noll reached the Super Bowl four times and won them all. While Bill Cowher had teams with losing records, his demeanor and how he was able to keep his players in line are all assets Mike Tomlin lacked. Tomlin was certainly a player’s coach. He was one of the “boys.” When it came to keeping his players in line too many caused problems on and off the field and it seemed Tomlin was not concerned.
Antonio Brown, Le’Veon Bell, Martavis Bryant were all examples of players who were not good teammates and hurt the team in several ways. DK Metcalf was the latest example and the trouble he got into while playing the Detroit Lions was something that could have been avoided as he was permitted to walk the sidelines and confront the fan while Tomlin or someone on the coach staff should have seen him walking away from the team and reel him in before he could get himself in trouble. In the end, Metcalf was suspended for the final two games of the season and was a primary reason for the Steelers losing to Cleveland and if not for a botched kick in the Baltimore game, Pittsburgh should have lost that game, but it probably would not have come down to a game winning field goal if Metcalf was playing.
With Mike Tomlin’s resignation for many Steelers fans, it feels like this was a long time coming. Steelers Nation is excited about moving into the next chapter and possibly having a head coach that can take this team deep into the playoffs. The top priority for whoever gets hired will be to find a starting quarterback. The 2026 NFL draft is right there in Pittsburgh this year and for Steelers fans around the world and in attendance at the draft, there will be much anticipation on who the new coach drafts.
