The Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t making a change on the sidelines. While many believed that Mike Tomlin was at risk of losing his job, ownership has confirmed that Tomlin is staying on, despite a 28-14 whooping at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens in the playoffs.
Unfortunately, the rabid crowd in Pennsylvania didn’t take too kindly to the news. Immediately, replies were flooded with criticisms of the coach, as they called the decision an outright bad one from management. Here’s the full breakdown.
Fans Enraged as Mike Tomlin Returns
Since Ben Roethlisberger left, it has been a hard time finding success for the Steelers organization. While Tomlin’s continued streak of winning seasons continues, victories in the playoffs have been hard to come by. Moreover, as of late, the team hasn’t even put up a fight, getting demolished time and time again.
Whether it was 35-7 to the Chiefs in the 2021 playoffs or 21-0 to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2017 playoffs, the slow starts have been brutal for the storied franchise. The game against the Ravens followed a similar story as Baltimore jumped out to a 21-0 lead at halftime.
The loss brought Mike Tomlin to five straight playoff losses, with their last victory coming in 2016.
Understandably, the decision to bring him back was met with an enraged fan base. Some were even ready to make life difficult for him at home games claiming, “Gonna need to make every home game hell for him. Fire Tomlin chants start in preseason.”
Gonna need to make every home game hell for him. Fire Tomlin chants start in preseason
— Zach (@zco06) January 12, 2025
But for others, there was still a chance that the head coach could redeem himself. “The fan base is turning like I’ve never seen in Pittsburgh. It won’t be pretty if this team isn’t winning early next season w tomlin.”
The fan base is turning like I've never seen in Pittsburgh. It won't be pretty if this team isn't winning early next season w tomlin
— russ reid (@russ_reid) January 12, 2025
However, with the team starting off this season 10-3, it looks unlikely that the fan base will buy a hot regular-season start again.
For some, it was just plain apathy. To them, Tomlin was getting an unfair advantage as he continued to get opportunities without any success. “At least fans know how low to set the bar once again. No coach in the NFL gets as much rope after being consistently horrible as Tomlin does, kudos to him for knowing who to snuggle up with.”
At least fans know how low to set the bar once again. No coach in the NFL gets as much rope after being consistently horrible as Tomlin does, kudos to him for knowing who to snuggle up with.
— Thechek182 (@thechek182) January 12, 2025
The Steelers are the only franchise to tie the New England Patriots with six Super Bowls. Tomlin is responsible for the last one of them (Super Bowl XLIII). For many, he has “ruined an awesome franchise.”
Dude ruined an awesome franchise
— nnjann (@nnjaann) January 12, 2025
Everyone didn’t immediately pin the blame on him. For some, the main fault lay with Arthur Joseph Rooney, owner of the Steelers franchise. One fan was particularly harsh in his assessment. “More of the same. Art is a coward.”
More of the same. Art is a coward.
— Jeff Moll (@bigjeffm) January 12, 2025
On the year, the cracks in Pittsburgh were clear as day to see. Even though not his specialty, the offense was dreadful as neither Justin Fields nor Russell Wilson could elevate them beyond 25th in PFN’s Offense+ rankings.
However, what came as a bigger surprise was the defense, a staple of any Mike Tomlin team. On the year, the Steelers ranked 18th in PFN’s Defense+ rankings, below the league average.
With the fan base not getting its desired results, the anger is palpable in the area. Unless results start coming in, the rowdy Pittsburgh crowd isn’t going to idly accept their fate.