The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2024 season ended in a way that has become all too familiar for fans: a strong start, late-season struggles, and a (very) quick playoff exit.
Despite a 10-3 record fueled by the improved play of quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, the Steelers faltered down the stretch and were soundly beaten by a more dynamic opponent in the postseason.
The cycle has left Steelers fans frustrated, with some calling for the organization to move on from long-time head coach Mike Tomlin.
While Tomlin is widely respected for his leadership and consistency, patience is wearing thin as the team continues to fall short of its ultimate goal: another Super Bowl title.
Jim Rooney, brother of Steelers owner Art Rooney II, addressed the mounting frustration and defended Tomlin during an appearance on the Ross Tucker Podcast.
“I think it’s an organization issue, not just Mike,” Rooney said. “I think all of us are responsible for the outcomes, but I think we take responsibility. I don’t want to get into excuse-making, but the reality is we outperform the NFL mean at a greater rate than just about any team for the last 25 years.
“I think if this was a boxing match and you were judging the competition, not just looking at the winning percentage, you would say that we have performed in a harder circumstance than most and outperformed them.”
Under Tomlin, Pittsburgh has maintained its streak of non-losing seasons, a remarkable feat in the competitive AFC North, where divisional games feature elite quarterbacks like Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson.
Despite these challenges, the Steelers consistently remain in playoff contention, even with quarterback play that has ranged from subpar to average in recent years.
But for a prestigious franchise with six Super Bowl titles, simply avoiding losing seasons isn’t enough to satisfy its fan base – and Rooney knows that.
“Having said that, I understand no one wants to lose playoff games,” Rooney continued. “The goal is to win the Super Bowl, and you have to get to there. You have to get to playoff games, which we do well, and you have to win playoff games, which we haven’t.”
Rooney’s comments point to a broader issue: while the Steelers remain competitive, they haven’t been able to break through as true contenders.
Critics argue that the team has become too focused on maintaining stability rather than making bold moves to truly take the next step.
Despite the frustration, the Steelers’ front office appears committed to Tomlin, who signed a three-year extension before the 2024 season.
For all his faults, Tomlin has kept the team afloat during a transitional era without a franchise quarterback, a challenge that has sunk many other teams.
There’s also the risk of change leading to disaster.
Moving on from the stable Tomlin would mean gambling on an unproven head coach, a prospect that could backfire and leave the Steelers worse off.
Tomlin, for his part, must address the team’s recurring issues and find ways to patch up the holes that have prevented the Steelers from becoming a true contender.
Having said all of that, Steelers fans are growing sick and tired with the current state of the franchise.
While you could make the argument that the majority of the league would love to switch places with the Steelers, the fact of the matter is Pittsburgh fans are losing patience with their current course.
(And Rooney’s comments do little to make those fans feel any better.)
What are your thoughts on the situation in Pittsburgh? … We know he’s not going anywhere – but in a perfect world, should the Steelers consider trading (or firing) Tomlin???
