For years the Steelers fanbase has been divided on Mike Tomlin. Some saw the writing on the wall before, but they were justifiably cast aside as folks who didn't understand the Steelers' philosophies and process that built a franchise rife with respect and recognition.
After another playoff loss, eyes and ears have opened to what those disgruntled yinzers had been shouting into the void - these aren't your daddy's Steelers.
Sure, there are plenty within that sect who have disingenuous feelings about Tomlin for reasons outside of his coaching abilities and there are others who can't grasp that the violent nature of the Steel Curtain defenses isn't something that translates to modern football. But, those who spoke up about the never-ending cycle of barely winning seasons and no playoff wins earned the opportunity to stand at the pulpit and say "We told you so."
Of course, it's not surprising that Art Rooney II will not fire Mike Tomlin after the embarrassing close to the 2024 season. But that's a part of the larger issue. Nothing about the Steelers is surprising.
That isn't always a bad thing. The Steelers have developed a culture, unlike the other 31 teams in the NFL. Their commitment to stability and smashmouth football is what draws in such a huge fanbase that exists well beyond the scope of the city of Pittsburgh.
But the insanity of doing the same thing again and again while expecting different results— particularly since 2019—is what is deteriorating that once proud structure.
It's time for the Steelers' standard must change
We've heard about the standard for nearly 20 years, but it's been nearly 20 years since the Steelers last won a Super Bowl. The standard has always been winning championships and the Steelers aren't doing that.
In the NFL, it is hard to lift Lombardis. The Steelers have done so six times in nearly 60 years, tied for the most among NFL franchises. The team that tied them made it look easier than it really is with the manner in how quickly they caught up to Pittsburgh. A fanbase that is 'championship or bust' can at least be sated by simply being competitive.
But the Steelers have not been competitive. Sure, they haven't had a losing season under Tomlin, but they struggle against teams with significantly worse records, fail to stand up to premiere offenses despite the faith Tomlin puts in his defense, and routinely get routed in the first quarter, particularly in the playoffs.
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There is a point in all cultures where they do have to eventually evolve. It doesn't have to be extreme. The Steelers can still be a defense-first, smashmouth football team. Look at the Baltimore Ravens. Jim Harbaugh executed the gameplan Tomlin has hoped to execute just once in the past five years to no avail.
Evolving is hard, and change is difficult to accept. Rooney doesn't have to fire Tomlin for that change to take place - it's not impossible for the likely Hall of Fame-bound head coach to turn it around. But the clock is ticking.
The longer the Steelers drag themselves to a 10-7 record only to get bounced out of the playoffs, the less meaning the culture carries. The destructive pattern has continued for too long under Tomlin and it threatens to extend too far into the future.
The frustrating aspect is that everywhere you look on the roster, you'll see guys who embrace the culture and embody it well: Cameron Heyward, TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pat Freiermuth, Zach Frazier, Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Justin Fields, Keanu Benton, Joey Porter Jr., and DeShon Elliott. Why isn't this core group of players good enough?
It all goes back to coaching and leadership, which ultimately fall in Tomlin's lap to fix. We've heard the tales of the Steelers' culture not being passed down properly. We've seen one failed position coach and coordinator pass through the door after another. Now, the rest of the league is catching wise to the failings in Pittsburgh and the Steelers are becoming the butt of jokes.
Something has to change before the franchise loses itself to its own hubris by pushing forward with a coach who hasn't been able to get his players to live up to said hubris.
Tomlin's contract runs through 2027, which is likely the soonest fans can expect him to make an exit outside of an abrupt retirement. Settle in and keep an eye on the culture of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Another extension for Tomlin without another playoff win complete with the same tired shortcomings and we'll know that the Steelers' culture is truly dead in Pittsburgh.