Mike Tomlin has been the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers for 17 years and never logged a losing season. That kind of high-level consistency is rare in the NFL. The idea of parting ways with the head coach should be unthinkable.
But after another rough playoff outing, some Steelers fans are not so sure.
Pittsburgh opened Monday's Wild Card game against the Bills by falling behind 21-0. Honestly, they were lucky it was only three touchdowns. It could have been far worse, that's how thoroughly outplayed Tomlin's team was.
Fans on Twitter let out their frustrations with calls for Tomlin to step away growing.
Steelers Twitter is tired of playoff no-shows from Mike Tomlin
This team is completely unprepared to play. That’s a reflection on Mike Tomlin.
— Cale Berger (@cale_berger) January 15, 2024
Pittsburgh has been outscored 66-0 in the first quarter of their last five playoff games. They've lost the previous four. #Steelers
— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) January 15, 2024
As consistently as Mike Tomlin doesn’t have a losing season, he also never shows up to the playoffs prepared.
— Penguins Jesus (@PenguinsJesus) January 15, 2024
Remarkable deal with the devil we’ve made to give him the reigns in perpetuity.
Tomlin’s defense on pace to give up 45 points. Right in line with every Steelers playoff game for the last 5 years.
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) January 15, 2024
The year is 2054. Steeler fans gather together rooting for the 7-point underdog London Jaguars to pull off an upset so they can see Mike Tomlin’s team lose by three touchdowns to a squad led by Arch Manning Jr. the following weekend.
— Noah Hiles (@_NoahHiles) January 15, 2024
Good coaches don’t barely make the playoffs then get blown out when they do make it.
— J🍩ey Bag 🍩f D🍩nuts 🍩 (@joeybagovdonuts) January 15, 2024
This isn’t a 1 time thing with Tomlin it’s EVERY TIME
He didn’t have this team prepared not one damn bit
Steelers need to seriously evaluate the coaching situation
This is the season of legendary Super Bowl-winning coaches saying tough goodbyes. Bill Belichick and the Patriots parted ways after a 4-13 season. The Seahawks moved on from Pete Carroll after they missed the playoffs.
Is Tomlin next? The Steelers have to at least consider their options given the recent string of playoff embarrassment.
It's more difficult to consider when Tomlin's team made the playoffs despite an uncertain quarterback situation. How do you let go of a coach who has never had a losing season in nearly 20 years?
Of course, all this talk is contingent on a comeback failing to materialize. The Bills jumped out to their 21-0 lead but Diontae Johnson caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from Mason Rudolph after a blocked field goal to cut into the deficit. A 21-7 halftime scoreline isn't pretty, but it also isn't insurmountable.
If the result in Buffalo holds, it may come down to Tomlin pulling the plug on his career in Pittsburgh. As painful as it is for fans to watch his teams get walloped in the playoffs, it's got to be even worse for the man in charge. He hasn't won a playoff game since 2016.