The Pittsburgh Steelers are a riddle wrapped in a black-and-gold enigma. Through 14 weeks of the NFL season, they rank 27th in total offense and 28th in total defense-numbers that usually spell disaster in today’s league. And yet, here they are: 7-6 and somehow holding a slim lead in the AFC North after a gutsy win in Baltimore.
This is a team that’s been outgained, outplayed, and outscored for stretches of the season, but still finds ways to win. It’s not always pretty-actually, it’s rarely pretty-but it’s been just enough. That’s been the story of the Steelers in 2025: a team that refuses to fold, even when the numbers say they should.
But let’s not sugarcoat it-Week 13 was rough. A demoralizing home loss to Buffalo had Acrisure Stadium echoing with frustration.
Chants of “Fire Tomlin” rang out, and even the iconic “Renegade” hype video-normally a guaranteed crowd-pumper-was met with boos. That’s when you know things have hit a low point in Pittsburgh.
Mike Tomlin, never one to duck a tough question, faced the music on Tuesday. When asked if he feels like he’s on the hot seat, his answer was vintage Tomlin: “I’ve been on the hot seat for 19 years.”
That’s not just a soundbite-it’s a window into how Tomlin views his job. Every week in the NFL is a referendum.
One bad Sunday, and the pressure’s on. One good win, and you’re back in the mix.
Tomlin knows that better than most. He’s been doing this a long time, and he understands the rhythm of a season, the emotional swings of a fanbase, and the weight of expectations in a city where football is religion.
Last week, after that loss to the Bills, Tomlin didn’t deflect. He didn’t blame injuries or execution or scheme. He stood in front of the mic and owned it.
“Man, I share their frustrations tonight,” he said. “We didn’t do enough. That’s just the reality of it.”
That kind of accountability matters, especially in a town like Pittsburgh. And while fans were understandably upset, a win in Baltimore-on the road, in a divisional slugfest-goes a long way toward easing those tensions.
Tomlin’s been through this before. He’s weathered down years, quarterback transitions, and plenty of scrutiny.
But he’s also built a culture that values resilience, toughness, and finding ways to win when the odds are stacked. That’s exactly what the Steelers did in Baltimore.
Now, with three games left and the AFC North still very much up for grabs, the Steelers are in a familiar position: fighting for relevance in December. The stats might not be pretty, and the offense still has more questions than answers, but with Tomlin at the helm, this team isn’t going quietly.
And if you ask him whether he’s feeling the heat? He’ll tell you-he’s been living in the fire for nearly two decades.