Mike Tomlin not entirely responsible for the Steelers 9-8 record in 2022

As everyone noticed, the Steelers Mike Tomlin had another winning season finishing 9-8, even though they missed the playoffs thanks to a Jets loss.

Mike Tomlin’s 9-8 record prompts a question as to whether this record is more a product of a weak second-half schedule and really more smoke and mirrors than a result of his coaching. No one wants to take away Tomlin’s achievements from what he has accomplished in his career. Anytime a coach has 16 winning seasons, he is a good coach. Yet the luck of the draw in the Steelers schedule may have saved their winning streak as opposed to Tomlins coaching in 2023.

Many people pointed out the injury of T.J. Watt in the Bengals game when he tore his pectoral muscle. The Steelers then went 2-6 in that span of games. Plus, they were quick to point out that they lost in previous seasons when he didn’t play. So if, as his supporters say, Tomlin is a great coach, then how do you explain the trainwreck with their record?

Simply, they place all the blame on T.J. Watt’s injury. Even Tomlin does not buy into that philosophy. Just watch one of his press conferences. He has to make preparations with the personnel he has. Sometimes it worked sometimes it didn’t.

Still, Take Watt out of the equation. Then you can say it was the offensive line; it was putrid. A factual statement. Yet whose fault is it? Knowing Tomlin apologists, it’s Kevin Colbert’s. Well, to a degree, yes, that’s right. In that, the Steelers have ignored drafting a high-round offensive tackle in quite a while. Then again, if true, where was Tomlin’s input on drafting a tackle.

The bottom line is that in 2022 it may not have been all Tomlin’s doing that the Steelers got to 9-8. Here’s why.