The standard of winning now feels like the standard of being mediocre in Pittsburgh. The Steelers once represented discipline, identity, and excellence. Today the franchise looks predictable, stale, and stuck. Mike Tomlin is still respected across the league, but respect no longer hides what has happened on the field. The results do not reach the level that a franchise with six championships. At seasons end, it’s time for the Steelers to move on from Mike Tomlin.
The Fanbase Finally Reached Its Breaking Point
The loss to Buffalo on Sunday revealed everything. Acrisure Stadium was filled with loud chants calling for Tomlin to be fired. This had never happened before. Moments later the crowd even booed Renegade, the famous fourth-quarter song that has always energized the team and the fanbase. The reaction showed how far things have fallen. The frustration is no longer something that can be ignored.
A Long Decline indicates it’s time for the Steelers to move on from Mike Tomlin
The problems go far beyond one season. They stretch throughout an entire era. Tomlin has three playoff wins in fourteen years, and those victories came against AJ McCarron, Alex Smith, and Matt Moore. He has reached the postseason with a win in only four of his nineteen seasons. He has not won a playoff game in eight years, and he is heading toward nine straight years without a postseason win unless a miracle happens this season. That is not the standard for a franchise that expects greatness.
The playoff failures are clear. In the first quarter of his last six playoff games, the Steelers have been outscored 73 to 0. That reflects preparation and game planning, and Pittsburgh has failed every time.
Roster Construction
The roster has also suffered. Since 2015, the Steelers have only three first-round picks still on the team. The construction of the roster no longer matches modern football. It lacks identity and direction.
Tomlin has also struggled with quarterbacks. After Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers moved on from former first-round pick Kenny Pickett, who Tomlin initially really liked. Mason Rudolph, another Quarterback Mike Tomlin liked coming out of the draft, did not work out. Justin Fields also did not work in Pittsburgh. Veterans Mitch Trubisky, Russell Wilson did not workout, and now Aaron Rodgers, who turns 42 years old soon, is beat up and regressing. With no long-term plan, it is clear he has problems identifying quarterback talent and putting them in a position to succeed.
A Predictable and Outdated Scheme
The issues go beyond statistics. Opposing players have said they know what the Steelers will run before the snap. Current and former players including Steelers players have confirmed the same thing for years. The scheme is predictable and outdated and easy for defenses to prepare for. On the defensive side, Pittsburgh created the highest-paid defense in NFL history in 2025, but that unit still ranks 30th in total defense. Nothing aligns with the investment. Tomlin also hired Matt Canada who was fired in 2023 and now Arthur Smith, two offensive coordinators who struggle to run a modern-day offense. Arthur Smith relies on heavy three tight end sets and barely uses DK Metcalf, who is one of the highest-paid receivers in the league. Pat Freiermuth is a top ten paid tight end, and he is almost invisible in the passing game. Kenneth Gainwell, who is the backup running back, has only one fewer reception than Metcalf. That is embarrassing for a modern-day offense. The Steelers still ignore the middle of the field, and the passing game has no creativity or rhythm. It raises a real question. How much did Ben Roethlisberger cover up for Tomlin throughout his career?
The Respect Is Real, but the Progress Is Not
Tomlin is well respected throughout the league. He won a Super Bowl and has a Hall of Fame resume. Players respond to him, and coaches admire him. Tomlin has also had no losing seasons in his 18-year coaching career which is an incredible accomplishment. However, respect does not fix years of declining results. It does not fix predictable game plans or a team with no identity and lack of playoff success.
A New Direction Benefits Everyone
The Steelers will need a miracle to win a playoff game this season. The roster is not without talent. It is underachieving. The message has gone stale, and the identity is gone. After nineteen seasons, Tomlin needs a new beginning, and Pittsburgh needs a new voice, new ideas, and a modern approach to football. The fans delivered the message in the loudest way possible. The standard no longer exists, and it is time for the Steelers to move on from Mike Tomlin.
Main Image: Charles LeClaire – Imagn Images
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