This is not a “Fire Mike Tomlin” article, and there are several reasons for that.
Firstly, while I don’t necessarily believe Tomlin should be fired, if a scenario arose where someone like Mike Vrabel or Ben Johnson was available to replace him, I’d make that move without hesitation. Secondly, we all know the reality: Mike Tomlin is not going to be fired. Shouting into the void about something that is simply not going to happen is futile and serves no purpose.
Instead, this article aims to shed light on the consistent late-season struggles under Tomlin’s leadership and his apparent inability—or unwillingness—to adapt and evolve. These issues have ultimately imposed a frustratingly low ceiling on what was once one of the NFL’s premier franchises.
Late-Season Collapses: A Recurring Nightmare
The Steelers’ December collapses have become as predictable as clockwork. In four of the last six seasons, they’ve lost at least three consecutive games down the stretch. In fact, in five of the last seven seasons, this tailspin has begun after Thanksgiving, a time when playoff contenders are expected to step up, not falter.
2018: The Steelers, sitting comfortably at 7-2-1, seemed destined for the playoffs. Instead, they unraveled, losing three straight to the Broncos, Chargers, and Raiders. Though they managed a win against the Patriots to reach 8-5-1, they dropped a crucial game to the Saints, leaving them needing a Browns victory over the Ravens in Week 17 alongside a win against Cincinnati. Despite barely scraping past the Jeff Driskel-led Bengals, Cleveland lost to Baltimore, and the Steelers were left watching the postseason from home.
2019: With an 8-5 record, the Steelers needed just one more win to secure a playoff berth. Yet, they closed the season with losses to the Jets, Bills, and Ravens. While Ben Roethlisberger’s season-ending elbow injury was a factor, these losses—particularly to a Jets team held to 16 points—were hard to excuse. Adding salt to the wound, the Ravens defeat came against a Robert Griffin III-led squad.
2020: The Steelers started an impressive 11-0, only to unravel spectacularly, losing three straight to Washington, the Bills, and a Bengals team led by Ryan Finley. Although they clinched the division with a win over the Colts, they ended the season with losses to the Browns in back-to-back games, including an embarrassing wild card exit. The collapse—five losses in their final six games—was a massive missed opportunity, especially considering how close Cleveland came to upsetting Kansas City in the divisional round.
2021: Pittsburgh sat at 7-4, seemingly playoff-bound despite glaring issues at quarterback and offensive play-calling. Yet, consecutive home losses to the lowly Cardinals and Patriots, followed by a defeat to Gardner Minshew and the Colts, dropped them to 7-7. Only a desperate switch to Mason Rudolph and some last-minute help from the Jaguars—who defeated the Titans—salvaged a playoff berth. The Steelers then promptly lost to the Bills in the wild card round.
2023: This season began with promise, as the Steelers surged to a 10-3 record. Yet, in typical fashion, they’ve collapsed spectacularly, dropping three straight games by a combined score of 90-40, with each loss coming by at least 14 points. A team that once looked poised to win 12 games now appears destined to limp to the finish line, continuing a pattern of late-season futility under Tomlin’s tenure.
The consistency of these late-season failures is one of the most infuriating trademarks of Mike Tomlin-led teams. No matter how well they start, it’s hard to get genuinely excited as a fan because history suggests the wheels will inevitably fall off when it matters most.
A Shallow Coaching Tree
Another significant concern is Tomlin’s lack of a coaching tree, especially when compared to his predecessor, Bill Cowher. Cowher’s tenure saw nine of his assistants go on to become head coaches—a respectable number that speaks to his ability to mentor and develop coaching talent. In contrast, Tomlin’s era has failed to produce the same level of success in grooming future head coaches, raising questions about his approach to leadership and mentorship.
The Bigger Picture
Mike Tomlin’s legacy is undeniable; his winning seasons and motivational leadership have been staples of his time in Pittsburgh. However, the cracks in the foundation are becoming harder to ignore. The repeated late-season collapses, paired with a lack of innovation and a stagnant coaching tree, suggest that the Steelers’ ceiling remains painfully low. While a full rebuild under a new coach might not be imminent, it’s clear that without meaningful evolution, Pittsburgh risks continuing this cycle of mediocrity.
The cause of Mike Tomlin problem at Steelers revealed
