The Mike Tomlin Problem

[NorthCoast]

PITTSBURGH -- Former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Isaiah Buggs was just activated back into the NFL, but will now miss the first 10 games of the season due to suspension, the league announced.
Buggs was dealing dealing with NFL conduct issues since his release by the Kansas City Chiefs in June of 2024. Off the field, he's dealt with legal troubles, including charges of animal abuse and domestic violence. He was activated back into the league this offseason, but has not signed to a team and will need to wait 10 games before being active in 2025.
The 29-year-old former draft pick by the Steelers was convicted of two counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty in Alabama in 2024 for leaving two dogs unattended and was sentenced to 60 days of hard labor.

Clearly Tomlin has a problem controlling his former players.

[Troy43]

Funny how Reid became an elite coach instead of a Tomlin-like guy (who had less success than Tomlin) after drafting the best QB of the generation.

I wonder what the difference is between the sub-500 playoff record from 1999 to 2017 (11 / 24) and the record from 2018 onward (17 / 21)?

I've definitely heard that reid was very instrumental in training up for mahomes.

[hawaiiansteel]

Steelers Are Running Out Of Scapegoats For Repeated Failure: 'You Got To Point At Mike Tomlin'

Sep 18, 2025

The Pittsburgh Steelers have made lots of changes to their defense over the past two seasons. Many position groups have been overhauled, and a couple coaches have left for hopeful upgrades. The front office has been doing everything it can to supplement the roster with the best players it can find. There does not seem to be a quality player that General Manager Omar Khan will say no to, and it's shown in the hyper-aggressive offseasons. His goal is to win a Super Bowl no matter what.

However, the Steelers have looked like anything but a Super Bowl contender. The defense has especially fallen off since the bye week in 2024, and everyone is scrambling for answers. While making an appearance on 93.7 The Fan, insider Ray Fittipaldo spoke about how the answers that the front office has come up with are entirely wrong.

"It's the same issues. It's the communication," Fittipaldo said. "Everyone said 'Oh, Grady Brown is gone, they got a new d-backs coach. That's got to improve.' It hasn't improved. 'Minkah [Fitzpatrick]'s gone. It was Minkah's fault.' Okay, Minkah's gone, and they're still doing the same thing. Eventually, you just got to point at Mike Tomlin. We all know this is his defense. He's got to find a way to straighten it out."

Every time there is a bad defensive game, the same story comes out: Head Coach Mike Tomlin runs this defense, and Teryl Austin is just a defensive coordinator in name only. Sure enough, the same issues keep popping up as before. Austin will likely be the next scapegoat.

Throughout the offseason, Minkah Fitzpatrick was constantly chastised for not having all the splash plays that he had in previous years, even though he was not targeted often unless he tried to come into the box to help stop the run. Jalen Ramsey has made a pair of huge splash plays, but the consistency isn't there.

The Steelers also spent all offseason talking about adjustments they would do to help their defense out. They were going to move TJ Watt around to be less predictable and deploy a new scheme that was built to make communication easier. The eye test, game tape, basic stats, and advanced analytics all agree that that has not happened at all yet. The defense is suffering because of that.

As Fittipaldo mentioned, nothing has seemingly changed. That has been the case for years. There are all these cool, new looks in training camp and preseason, but the regular season feels like more of the same, especially to Steeler Nation. That is why the Steelers have failed to win a playoff game since the 2016 season.

This is why many within the fan base are angry. The team promises to change every year, but the results have been very similar to recent disappointing seasons. Grady Brown, Fitzpatrick, and others were seen as possible reasons as letdowns in years past. Now, Tomlin has a defense that can't tackle, gets burned on the same crossing routes, and is getting out-schemed on a weekly basis.

Steelers Will Be The Same Team Until Real Accountability Is Had

Recently, new Steelers cornerback Darius Slay Jr. did have a bit of a silver-lining for fans during an appearance on The Richard Sherman Podcast. He noted that his former team, the Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles, were in a similar spot defensively last season as the Steelers are in now. Philly also started 1-1 and it wasn't until after their bye week until things really started to click. There's still time for Pittsburgh to turn it around, but they must first dig deep to truly resolve their internal issues.

https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/steelers_are_running_out_of_scapegoats_for_repeated_failure_you_got_to_point_at_mike_tomlin/s1_17101_42761360

[NorthCoast]

Steelers Are Running Out Of Scapegoats For Repeated Failure: 'You Got To Point At Mike Tomlin'

Sep 18, 2025

The Pittsburgh Steelers have made lots of changes to their defense over the past two seasons. Many position groups have been overhauled, and a couple coaches have left for hopeful upgrades. The front office has been doing everything it can to supplement the roster with the best players it can find. There does not seem to be a quality player that General Manager Omar Khan will say no to, and it's shown in the hyper-aggressive offseasons. His goal is to win a Super Bowl no matter what.

However, the Steelers have looked like anything but a Super Bowl contender. The defense has especially fallen off since the bye week in 2024, and everyone is scrambling for answers. While making an appearance on 93.7 The Fan, insider Ray Fittipaldo spoke about how the answers that the front office has come up with are entirely wrong.

"It's the same issues. It's the communication," Fittipaldo said. "Everyone said 'Oh, Grady Brown is gone, they got a new d-backs coach. That's got to improve.' It hasn't improved. 'Minkah [Fitzpatrick]'s gone. It was Minkah's fault.' Okay, Minkah's gone, and they're still doing the same thing. Eventually, you just got to point at Mike Tomlin. We all know this is his defense. He's got to find a way to straighten it out."

Every time there is a bad defensive game, the same story comes out: Head Coach Mike Tomlin runs this defense, and Teryl Austin is just a defensive coordinator in name only. Sure enough, the same issues keep popping up as before. Austin will likely be the next scapegoat.

Throughout the offseason, Minkah Fitzpatrick was constantly chastised for not having all the splash plays that he had in previous years, even though he was not targeted often unless he tried to come into the box to help stop the run. Jalen Ramsey has made a pair of huge splash plays, but the consistency isn't there.

The Steelers also spent all offseason talking about adjustments they would do to help their defense out. They were going to move TJ Watt around to be less predictable and deploy a new scheme that was built to make communication easier. The eye test, game tape, basic stats, and advanced analytics all agree that that has not happened at all yet. The defense is suffering because of that.

As Fittipaldo mentioned, nothing has seemingly changed. That has been the case for years. There are all these cool, new looks in training camp and preseason, but the regular season feels like more of the same, especially to Steeler Nation. That is why the Steelers have failed to win a playoff game since the 2016 season.

This is why many within the fan base are angry. The team promises to change every year, but the results have been very similar to recent disappointing seasons. Grady Brown, Fitzpatrick, and others were seen as possible reasons as letdowns in years past. Now, Tomlin has a defense that can't tackle, gets burned on the same crossing routes, and is getting out-schemed on a weekly basis.

Steelers Will Be The Same Team Until Real Accountability Is Had

Recently, new Steelers cornerback Darius Slay Jr. did have a bit of a silver-lining for fans during an appearance on The Richard Sherman Podcast. He noted that his former team, the Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles, were in a similar spot defensively last season as the Steelers are in now. Philly also started 1-1 and it wasn't until after their bye week until things really started to click. There's still time for Pittsburgh to turn it around, but they must first dig deep to truly resolve their internal issues.

https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/artic...17101_42761360

There is a difference with Philly. They have actual coordinators that are at the top of their games. The Steelers have 'scapegoats'.....

[Eich]

It'll be interesting to watch this season play out. How it goes will say a lot about the evolution or stagnation of Tomlin. The highest paid defense in the league has to produce more than what we've been seeing to date.

I feel like the offense will continue improving. It's really the defense that I worry about at this point. It hasn't shown the ability to stop the run for some time now. And it hasn't been getting to the QB often enough. So, what's it good at?

[feltdizz]

It'll be interesting to watch this season play out. How it goes will say a lot about the evolution or stagnation of Tomlin. The highest paid defense in the league has to produce more than what we've been seeing to date.

I feel like the offense will continue improving. It's really the defense that I worry about at this point. It hasn't shown the ability to stop the run for some time now. And it hasn't been getting to the QB often enough. So, what's it good at?

Right now its good at giving up 3rd and longs.

While I’ve soured on Tomlin is it really his fault we have the highest paid defense?

That is on Khan.

Tomlin still gets the brunt of the criticism for the lack of execution but Khan is the one who threw all this money at the defense.

Its why I was so against paying Watt. We saw what this defense was with Watt and company last year.

Money doesn’t improve scheme.

[feltdizz]

Also.. it looks the same because it is the same.

Until we get a real NT (could be Black) and stop letting the offense dictate our defense the rushing woes will continue.

We used to make teams change what they wanted to do but now all I hear about it “teams pass on our 3-4 with a real NT.

Well guess what?

Hate to say I told you so but teams are running all over us because we are soft up front.

[Eich]

Right now its good at giving up 3rd and longs.

While I’ve soured on Tomlin is it really his fault we have the highest paid defense?

That is on Khan.

Tomlin still gets the brunt of the criticism for the lack of execution but Khan is the one who threw all this money at the defense.

Its why I was so against paying Watt. We saw what this defense was with Watt and company last year.

Money doesn’t improve scheme.

I don't blame Tomlin for having the highest paid defense. I fault him for getting below the line performance out of it. He refuses to change. Year after year after year. Player after player after player says the Steelers do what they do. THAT is on Tomlin.

I have no issue paying Watt. Not my money. They weren't getting rid of the face of the franchise. Watt isn't suddenly bad. Teams figured out how to neutralize his biggest threat and we aren't adapting.

[NorthCoast]

Right now its good at giving up 3rd and longs.

While I’ve soured on Tomlin is it really his fault we have the highest paid defense?

That is on Khan.

Tomlin still gets the brunt of the criticism for the lack of execution but Khan is the one who threw all this money at the defense.

Its why I was so against paying Watt. We saw what this defense was with Watt and company last year.

Money doesn’t improve scheme.

A payout like that doesn't get done with Rooney's approval. The buck stops with him.

I just did some checking of the Steelers 1st picks under Cowher vs Tomlin:

Cowher = 27% of picks on defense
Tomlin = 61% of picks on defense

And tell me, who had the better defenses?

[feltdizz]

I don't blame Tomlin for having the highest paid defense. I fault him for getting below the line performance out of it. He refuses to change. Year after year after year. Player after player after player says the Steelers do what they do. THAT is on Tomlin.

I have no issue paying Watt. Not my money. They weren't getting rid of the face of the franchise. Watt isn't suddenly bad. Teams figured out how to neutralize his biggest threat and we aren't adapting.

Not your money? Well.. its also not “your team” if we want to play that game.

I’m not disagreeing that Tomlin needs to go if this continues. Its been a long career in one place.

But this defense, while expensive, is paying some older players some big money.

That is a huge reason for its decline. Ramsey is older and expensive. Heyward is old as hell.. and expensive. Watt is 30.. and making $41 Mill.

When 3 of your 4 highest players on D are 30 or older its hard to ignore and wonder if we should’ve been more aggressive in reloading vs paying older vets.

and I really have a hard time with people who say “Watt is the face of this team” as a reason why we couldn’t move him. What type of team are we and why do we need him as the face if we can’t win a playoff game and the D is giving up historic numbers?

[feltdizz]

A payout like that doesn't get done with Rooney's approval. The buck stops with him.

I just did some checking of the Steelers 1st picks under Cowher vs Tomlin:

Cowher = 27% of picks on defense
Tomlin = 61% of picks on defense

And tell me, who had the better defenses?

of course the owner owns all of it.

but payouts are negotiated by Khan.

They all deserve blame..

I’m just saying when you have the most expensive defense you have to look at the GM.. not Tomlin.

My argument has always been to trade Watt because he can’t live up to that contract on this team.

I just think the “most expensive defense” is part of the reason we look so bad. Stop paying aging vets. It isn’t working.

[WindyCitySteel]

of course the owner owns all of it.

but payouts are negotiated by Khan.

They all deserve blame..

I’m just saying when you have the most expensive defense you have to look at the GM.. not Tomlin.

My argument has always been to trade Watt because he can’t live up to that contract on this team.

I just think the “most expensive defense” is part of the reason we look so bad. Stop paying aging vets. It isn’t working.

You don’t think Tomlin gets the players he wants in FA and the draft?

[hackjam]

Right now its good at giving up 3rd and longs.

While I’ve soured on Tomlin is it really his fault we have the highest paid defense?

That is on Khan.

Tomlin still gets the brunt of the criticism for the lack of execution but Khan is the one who threw all this money at the defense.

Its why I was so against paying Watt. We saw what this defense was with Watt and company last year.

Money doesn’t improve scheme.

You don't think Tomlin has anything to do with that??

[Starlifter]

Khan's job is to buy the best players available. Now, sometimes he gets it right - sometimes wrong. But he has nothing to do with scheme, gameplan, in-game strategy or adjustments - that's all on Tomlin.

And like Tomlin said in his presser this week - 2 games in a row is a trend.

Too bad he doesn't apply that to the last 10 years.

I continue to believe and nothing over the last decade has convinced me otherwise - that the hurdle the Steelers have to overcome, is the arrogance and stubbornness of the HC. The scheme doesn't change. The terminology doesn't change. The 100% run up the middle on 2nd and 10 doesn't change. We all know this. The opposing teams know this. Tomlin knows this as well. He's trying to recreate what he had with Ben all those years right now with AR. A HOF QB who can overcome his inability to outcoach the opponent - and squeeze out a few extra wins this year.

But scheme? nah. gosh darn'it - the players just need to execute. Because THAT'S how you win in the NFL. No need to gameplan better - just play better.

At least that approach is good for 8-10 wins a year. Just not in January........