Although the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2024 season didn’t finish as many hoped—especially given their strong start—making the playoffs amid significant team changes was still quite an achievement. Led by veteran head coach Mike Tomlin, who consistently finds ways to keep the Steelers competitive during the regular season, the team showed resilience despite quarterback upheavals before and during the season.
Last year ended with a five-game losing streak, but even then, the Steelers managed to stay in playoff contention, a testament to Tomlin’s coaching. Now, with the roster shuffled again—particularly at quarterback, as Aaron Rodgers takes over after last year’s Russell Wilson and Justin Fields—the Steelers face another transitional phase. Despite ongoing roster and coaching changes, Tomlin is still regarded as one of the NFL’s best returning head coaches.
Pro Football Focus analyst Dalton Wasserman ranked Tomlin as the fifth-best returning head coach entering the 2025 season, behind Andy Reid, Sean Payton, Sean McVay, and John Harbaugh. Other notable coaches rounding out the top 10 include Jim Harbaugh, Kyle Shanahan, Nick Sirianni, Dan Campbell, and Kevin Stefanski.
Wasserman notes that despite criticism over playoff shortcomings, Tomlin consistently extracts top performance from his teams and has never had a losing season in his 18 years as Pittsburgh’s head coach, though some close calls occurred. Guiding the Steelers to the 2024 playoffs amid quarterback instability was particularly impressive. Pittsburgh’s identity remains rooted in its defense, which ranked among the league’s elite in 2024, led by stars like T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward. However, the offense still struggles at times, evident in the team’s stark contrast in results depending on how many points they allow.
While the lack of playoff success in the last decade is a valid criticism of Tomlin’s tenure, it’s also true that some of those playoff teams likely weren’t strong enough to win postseason games. Just reaching the playoffs is still an accomplishment, though the repeated early exits highlight how far the team needs to improve. This reality has driven significant changes in coaching, management, and roster personnel. The Steelers are optimistic about competing in 2025, especially with Rodgers as their quarterback—considered their best since Ben Roethlisberger.
The defense remains critical to the Steelers’ success. Early in 2024, the defense was dominant, pressuring quarterbacks, forcing turnovers, and shutting down opponents. However, the defense fatigued late in the season, coinciding with offensive struggles and a damaging five-game losing streak. This slump sparked questions about Tomlin’s future, along with rumors and opinions suggesting he might be traded or leave to replicate an Andy Reid-like success elsewhere. None of these scenarios happened—Tomlin is still at the helm and will likely maximize the team’s potential in the 2025 regular season.
Looking ahead, Tomlin’s future with the Steelers appears secure despite the challenges. The organization values his consistent leadership and ability to keep the team competitive year after year. While playoff success remains elusive, the Steelers’ commitment to rebuilding and strengthening the roster shows faith in Tomlin’s long-term vision. Fans and analysts expect him to continue leading Pittsburgh, aiming to translate regular-season success into deeper playoff runs in the near future.
Ultimately, the playoffs remain the true test for Tomlin’s teams, who have struggled to advance in recent years. Despite that, Tomlin remains one of the league’s top head coaches returning for the upcoming season, expected to lead the Steelers back to postseason contention.
