The Pittsburgh Steelers faced a crucial moment in Week 17, aiming to secure an early playoff berth. Instead, they stumbled in a disappointing 13-6 loss against the Cleveland Browns, who now sit at 4-12. This result sets up a classic Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens showdown for the AFC North title, a matchup steeped in tradition, now slated for prime time in Week 18.
Despite this fresh opportunity to reclaim the division crown, murmurs of discontent regarding head coach Mike Tomlin have resurfaced. These concerns echo not only within Steeler City but also gain traction in national discussions.
Former NFL MVP Cam Newton is among those not on board with the criticism. On ESPN’s First Take, he defended Tomlin, who ranks as the longest-tenured head coach in American sports at 19 seasons.
Newton pointed out that Tomlin’s philosophy, encapsulated in his mantra, “the standard is the standard,” creates high expectations. When those expectations aren’t met, the backlash inevitably lands on Tomlin’s shoulders.
“When we look at John Harbaugh in Baltimore, he has maintained a standard that holds him accountable when the team falls short. The same applies to Mike Tomlin,” Newton remarked, emphasizing that the expectations are set remarkably high in Pittsburgh.
He elaborated that the Steelers’ current season would be viewed quite favorably if it belonged to many other teams across the league. Newton also cautioned against the impulsive decision to fire Tomlin, even if the Steelers miss out on the AFC North title.
“If you swapped the Steelers’ record with the Las Vegas Raiders, that would be a successful season. If the Cleveland Browns had that same record, they too would deem it a successful season,” Newton explained, further defending Tomlin.
“This is how great Mike Tomlin is. He has been a victim of his success. If he is dismissed, it will be a huge mistake. Another team will snap him up instantly,” he concluded, underscoring Tomlin’s value as a coach.
Teams like the New York Giants would undoubtedly jump at the chance to hire Tomlin if he were available. However, it’s likely that when he departs Pittsburgh, it will be on his own terms.
Tomlin ranks 10th in NFL history with 192 regular-season wins (second among active coaches). Remarkably, he achieved all these wins with a single franchise, placing him just behind legends like George Halas and Bill Belichick for the most victories with one team. In fact, one more win ties him with Chuck Noll for the record in Steelers history.
Despite his impressive record, Tomlin has encountered recent challenges against teams struggling significantly. According to CBS’s Doug Clawson, he holds an unusual 0-4-1 record in his last five games against opponents entering with more than eight losses. This is the longest streak of its kind in NFL history.
Fortunately, the Ravens are not that far gone, currently standing at 8-8. Tomlin has an overall record of 22-18 against Baltimore during his 19 years as head coach, sporting a solid 9-3 record this decade and 4-1 at home.
Set your calendars for 8:20 PM ET on January 4 on NBC to find out who claims the AFC North crown for 2025.
