PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – As the Steelers head into year 15 with Mike Tomlin, the announcement Tuesday of a contract extension for years 16, 17 and 18. The actual phrase in the news release "through at least the 2024 season". So maybe it extends out farther.
There are a couple of camps when it comes to Mike Tomlin.
The 'he's never had a losing season' group would point to the record 145-78. He won seven division titles, two AFC titles, a Super Bowl.
The 'won with Bill Cowher's players' group would point to winning a Super Bowl in his second year, back in his fourth, but only three playoff wins since 2010.
There is also the valid, 'why didn't he win more titles with Ben Roethlisberger'. Bill Belichick won six with Tom Brady. When Chuck Noll had Terry Bradshaw he won four times. Bill Walsh had Joe Montana and won three.
How much of that is really on Tomlin and more so on Roethlisberger himself, or just player mistakes? Including the 2010 Super Bowl, Roethlisberger's thrown 17 touchdowns (5 against Cleveland) and 14 interceptions (4 against Cleveland).
The purpose of this exercise is not to exonerate Tomlin. He is the head coach. All blame ultimately goes to him. But let's look at those playoff losses since the Super Bowl defeat to Green Bay.
Denver 2012-while Roethlisberger did throw a pick that led to a field goal, he also led three scoring drives in the second half to tie the game. This was more about mistakes in the secondary against Tim Tebow, ultimately Tomlin's fault, but can't imagine the team was coached to give up big plays.
Baltimore 2015-Roethlisberger threw interceptions on consecutive drives in the fourth quarter, one that turned a one score game into a 21-yard Ravens touchdown and 15-point lead.
Denver 2016-Roethlisberger had his highest playoff passer rating, 94.3, since 2010. Threw for 339 yards, but no touchdowns and the team was 2-12 on third down.
New England 2017-after a couple of playoff wins, including on the road at Kansas City, the Patriots got them again. While Ben did throw a fourth quarter interception, this game was again about not stopping Tom Brady. Not alone a Tomlin problem, it was a Bill Cowher problem and a most of the NFL problem.
Jacksonville 2018-this one is on Tomlin, the Steelers looked like an ill-prepared team that got run on, allowing 45 points at home.
Cleveland 2020-yet another embarrassing loss at home. It started with a potential Hall of Fame center snapping it over Roethlisberger's head and down 7-0 14, seconds in. It would be 28-0 after one quarter as Roethlisberger alternated interceptions and punts until finally getting a score in the second quarter.
While the Jags was squarely on Tomlin, the 48 points to Cleveland were on mistakes made by players. Not an issue with scheme.
It's easy to point the finger at all of the recent playoff losses and end of season struggles on Tomlin. He's the coach, been around the longest. He takes the ultimate blame. The reality is there are several factors for why the Steelers lost in those games and some of those are because of mistakes by the franchise quarterback.
Again, it ultimately rests on Tomlin, but he can't do it alone.
The Steelers creed is coaching stability. It's resulted in six championships. Art Rooney II said they are confident in his leadership to take the Steelers to another championship. While Tomlin will be the figurehead, it's more about what players they have. How they execute. Than just about the head coach. Win or lose.
