Mike Tomlin spent 19 years with the Pittsburgh Steelers with no single shedding season, but he walked away from the Steelers with a nine-year playoff win drought. That contradiction is what makes his legacy so sophisticated. But what truly went unsuitable behind the scenes? Former Steelers linebacker Stevenson Sylvester, who performed below Tomlin throughout each the height years and the early indicators of decline, says he is aware of precisely the place the rot began.
“When I was with the Steelers, we were 12-4 my first two seasons,” Sylvester said. “Really good, top two, right next to Tom Brady’s stupid self, in the AFC. Then, my third year, we took a dip. We let go of some veterans. It wasn’t as good as the years before.
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“What I saw, the difference was Mike Tomlin would try to do everybody else’s job. He would try to do the defensive coordinator’s job, the linebacker coach’s job, and it wouldn’t leave time for those guys to do their job. That created dysfunction. And so, professionalism-wise, let everybody do their job. They’re hired for a certain type of reason.”
A defensive-minded and already a Super Bowl-winning head coach, Tomlin had expertise. What he was criticized for, nevertheless, was his tendency to place his fingerprints throughout each facet of the workforce, typically blurring the strains between roles. This was one of many the explanation why the Steelers not often underwent a significant defensive change, and finally, the competitors caught on and exploited that chance.
Former New England Patriots extensive receiver Julian Edelman sat down with the Games With Names Podcast again in January 2025 and mentioned precisely what transpired through the Patriots’ video games in opposition to the Steelers. Mike Tomlin was nonetheless the top coach of the Steelers at the moment. In his dialog, Edelman famous one factor: The Steelers’ protection by no means modified.
“You knew exactly what they were doing,” Edelman mentioned. “And they still do what they did. They still do the same goddamn sh– (as) when I was playing Tomlin’s defense. I’m like, ‘We still have linebackers covering the three slot? Every time we play the Steelers, I have at least nine catches.’ You would think that they would change it. But no, they do what they do.”
NFL, American Football Herren, USA Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Jets Sep 7, 2025 East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin appears to be like on earlier than the sport in opposition to the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. East Rutherford MetLife Stadium New Jersey USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xVincentxCarchiettax 20250907_kdn_cb6_117
Edelman’s numbers backed that up. He caught 34 receptions for 341 yards in his six profession regular-season video games in opposition to the Steelers. In his lone playoff matchup in opposition to Tomlin’s protection, he grabbed 8 receptions for 118 yards and one landing within the 2016 AFC Championship Game.
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Edelman’s stance was clear that the Steelers had a predictable protection. As for Sylvester, he identified that Tomlin used to do his defensive coordinator’s (Dick LeBeau at the moment) and linebackers coach’s (Keith Butler) job. Fast ahead just a few extra years, and that was evident within the 2025 season as nicely.
In their worldwide matchup in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin, the Steelers had a pointy protection once they sacked Carson Wentz 6 occasions and compelled him to throw two interceptions. At the identical time, nevertheless, the protection allowed so many yards: 372 whole yards, together with 302 by the air.
As that occurred, followers began speculating who’s dealing with the defensive play-calling duties, defensive coordinator Teryl Austin or head coach Mike Tomlin? Steelers insider Brian Batko supplied followers with much-needed readability as he famous:
“My understanding of the situation is that Mike Tomlin is heavily involved in every facet, particularly with the defensive philosophy and game-planning and coaching points throughout the week. More so than he is on the offensive side of the ball. But I’ve never been under the impression that Teryl Austin just stands there with an Eat’n Park menu during the games.”
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Looking again at it, it’s onerous to disregard why Sylvester believes Tomlin’s behavior of taking each different coach’s job created dysfunction. However, Tomlin stepped down from the top teaching job when the Steelers failed to finish their playoff drought.
Now, Mike McCarthy has taken over the function of the Steelers’ chief and is now anticipated to do what Tomlin did not do for nearly a decade: Win a playoff recreation. As for Tomlin, ever since he stepped away from soccer, he’s been linked to getting into the broadcasting world sooner somewhat than later.
What’s the brand new replace on Mike Tomlin’s future?
After the 2021 season with the New Orleans Saints, Sean Payton introduced his retirement from teaching in January 2022. As that occurred, the hypothesis constructed instantly about Payton’s future following his stint with the Saints. Payton, in the meantime, wasted no time earlier than pivoting to the broadcasting world.
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That stint, nevertheless, was shorter than many anticipated as Payton turned the Denver Broncos head coach in 2023. Fast ahead to now, and Mike Tomlin might be on the identical path. He has admitted that he has no intention to educate within the 2026 season. While a return to teaching in 2027 is unquestionably on the playing cards, he’s at present anticipated to land a TV job.
That improvement gained momentum lately when the previous Steelers’ head coach signed with longtime sports activities media agent Sandy Montag’s company. Per Front Office Sports, Montag and former sportscaster turned agent Alex Flanagan have now been entrusted with representing Tomlin in potential contract talks with networks and streaming platforms.
“Flanagan, the former anchor/reporter for NBC Sports and NFL Network, led the signing and will handle Tomlin’s day-to-day representation,” Front Office Sports reported.
Whether Tomlin in the end lands a TV function, returns to teaching in 2027 after a short stint in broadcasting, or explores a distinct path stays to be seen.
