The Pittsburgh Steelers played a strong game on defense against the Houston Texans in the AFC wild card round. But behind a put dismal offensive performance, head coach Mike Tomlin and the Steelers suffered yet another embarrassing postseason loss, falling 30-6.
Tomlin often avoids criticism in the national media when the Steelers offense doesn’t perform well. From the outside Pittsburgh perspective, Tomlin doesn’t have a direct hand in that side of the ball.
But that’s not a narrative former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson was willing to accept after Tomlin’s most recent first-round exit.
Following the Texans defeat, Johnson criticized the Steelers head coach for the organization’s approach at quarterback dating back to the end of the Ben Roethlisberger era.
“You have to realize because of Mike Tomlin and his decision not to have a quarterback to back up Ben Roethlisberger, not wanting to upset him, not having a [successor] in place when Ben Roethlisberger’s time was up, it’s hampered them,” Johnson said on his podcast, Nightcap, via Steelers Depot’s Ross McCorkle. “It’s hampered them in having a chance or even being able to compete.
“Yeah, having winning seasons is okay, but the ultimate goal, at the end of the day, is to wanna compete for a Super Bowl trophy. They haven’t been able to do that because of the issues at the quarterback position.”
Mike Tomlin Pushed to Sign Aaron Rodgers
Johnson’s point is well warranted. Pittsburgh’s quarterback problem dates back years.
But Johnson only began to discuss the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Tomlin and the team’s quarterback situation.
Pundits such as Johnson are still discussing how the Steelers approached the end of the Roethlisberger era because the team still hasn’t found a long-term replacement. Tomlin is, at least, partially to blame for that.
Steelers general manager Omar Khan and even team president Art Rooney II can share in the blame. But as a 19-year head coach, it’s foolish to believe Tomlin doesn’t have major say in the entire roster.
Tomlin appeared to have significant influence in bringing in two veteran, former Super Bowl winning quarterbacks the past two offseasons.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Tomlin led the discussions with Aaron Rodgers to sign him last June. In October 2024, Tomlin chose to bench Justin Fields in favor of Russell Wilson while many others inside the organization wanted to continue starting Fields.
Considering their other options, those were the right quarterback choices to give the Steelers the best chance at winning in 2024 and 2025. But adding each veteran ultimately resulted in a wild card loss.
Tomlin’s Murky Future in Pittsburgh
With Monday’s defeat, the Steelers have suffered seven consecutive playoff defeats. It’s the longest active postseason losing streak in the NFL.
Not all of those losses are on Tomlin’s decisions at quarterback. Roethlisberger lost the first three games of that streak.
But the lack of postseason success dating back a decade now has Tomlin initially facing an uncertain future this offseason.
The Steelers signed Tomlin to a 3-year extension two years ago. The deal doesn’t expire until after 2027.
But ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported in December the 2027 season is a club option. The deadline for deciding whether to pick up that option is March 1.
If the Steelers decline the option, the writing will be on the wall that the Tomlin era in Pittsburgh is ending.
Tomlin has 193 regular season wins, which is tied for the most in Steelers history. He has also won a Super Bowl and two AFC championships.
But behind the seven-game postseason skid, Tomlin owns an 8-12 playoff record.
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