Mike Tomlin refutes claims that the Steelers are ‘stuck’, rejects a potential trade to another team
The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the most heralded NFL franchises, winning six Super Bowls in their history. But in recent years, the franchise has grown accustomed to postseason flare-ups.
Mike Tomlin has been at the helm since 2006 and coached the team to one of those Super Bowl titles. While Tomlin still hasn’t finished the regular season with a loss, it’s now been eight years since he led the team to a victory in playoff game.
The Steelers are one of the most stable franchises in the league, having only had three head coaches over the past five decades. Still, a lack of recent playoff success has fueled concerns about whether Tomlin should stay put.
Still, Tomlin shrugged Tuesday when asked if he felt like the Steelers were “stuck” after dominating Baltimore Ravens in the wild-card round on Saturday.
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Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin looks on 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)
“It’s kind of a helpless feeling to be stuck,” the NFL’s longest-tenured coach said. “And I don’t know if I feel helpless.”
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Tomlin then acknowledged the disappointment felt by everyone involved with the Steelers after the early playoff exit. “I’m definitely not in the mood to be optimistic or to sell optimism,” he said. “I don’t know if that’s appropriate. You know, it’s disappointing not to work. And so here we are.”
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 changes are certainly coming to the coaching staff — most likely on defense after the Steelers were beaten during a five-game freefall — Tomlin doesn’t appear to be going anywhere as he enters the first season of the three-year extension he signed last June.
Tomlin believes he’s still “capable” of helping Pittsburgh end its longest playoff game drought since the “Flawless Reception” more than half a century ago.
Still, he enters his third offseason in four years with questions at the quarterback position. Skylar Thompson, who signed with the Steelers on Tuesday, is the only running back under contract through the 2025 season. Russell WilsonJustin Fields and Kyle Allen — all of whom played during the 2024 season — are set 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 the AFC Wild Card Playoffs 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 starter in as many seasons.
While the offense thrived — particularly during a stretch of the season in which Wilson won six of his first seven starts — the Steelers averaged just 14.2 points during the late slump, barely good enough to advance in the divisional round or beyond. .
Tomlin also acknowledged that he understands there is growing discontent among fans during what can best be described as the “Groundhog Day” era of his team.
“I understand the frustration,” he said. “And to be quite honest, I share that.”
The 12th-leading scoring coach in NFL history — he’ll move into 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 component of his job. The vast majority are on schemes, drafting and talent development and believe the team has evolved in those ways.
“I’m open to adaptation and change and I have been,” he said. “And so it’s not a new discussion. It’s not like I’ve been doing the same things over and over (and over).”
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Tomlin remains intent on trying to be part of the solution in Pittsburgh, saying teams with open jobs who might inquire about his willingness to move on should save their time.
“I don’t have any message,” Tomlin replied over the road Pittsburgh Post-Gazette when asked if he had a message for any team potentially looking to acquire him in a trade. “Save time.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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