Mike Tomlin has built a legacy in Pittsburgh that’s hard to argue with. Eighteen seasons.
Zero losing records. That kind of consistency is rare in the NFL, where head coaches are often on a short leash and the pressure to win now is relentless.
But while Tomlin’s regular-season track record is rock solid, the postseason picture has been far more complicated-and that’s where some familiar voices are starting to speak up.
James Harrison, a two-time Super Bowl champion and one of the most dominant defensive players in Steelers history, didn’t hold back recently when discussing his former coach. In a candid interview, Harrison made it clear: he’s never viewed Tomlin as a great coach-good, sure, but not great.
“I have never been a person who thought Coach Tomlin was a great coach,” Harrison said. “I thought he was good. I’ll be honest, part of that is because, when I was slated to be the starter when Joey [Porter] left, he drafted one and two outside linebackers.”
That’s not just a personal gripe-it’s a window into a broader frustration. Harrison went on to critique the current coaching staff, suggesting that the team isn’t maximizing the talent it has on the field.
“When I say coaches, I’m saying this as a coach is someone who tells you what to do, and it doesn’t matter if what they’re telling you to do is right or wrong. A good coach gets you to play to your potential,” Harrison said. “And right now, the players we have on that team, I have seen play-they’re not playing up to their potential.”
It’s a stinging indictment from someone who knows what championship-level football looks like. And Harrison didn’t stop there.
“A great coach gets you to play beyond your potential. Something has to be done. I know the Steelers historically don’t move on from coaches, but I think it’s time that history be made.”
That’s a bold statement, especially considering the franchise’s track record of stability at the top. Tomlin is only the third Steelers head coach since 1969.
That kind of continuity is unheard of in today’s NFL. But with the team sitting at 6-6 heading into Week 14, the questions are getting louder.
The Steelers’ last real postseason run came back in the 2016 season, when they reached the AFC Championship Game before falling to the Patriots. Since then, it’s been a string of early exits.
The current squad has shown flashes, but inconsistency has been the theme. Three losses in the last five games have dropped them into a deadlock with the Ravens in the AFC North, with Baltimore holding the edge on a tiebreaker.
And speaking of the Ravens, that’s who’s up next. Week 14 sends the Steelers into Baltimore for a pivotal divisional clash, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Pittsburgh is coming off a tough loss to the Bills in Week 13-a game where the offense sputtered and the defense couldn’t contain Buffalo’s playmakers. Meanwhile, the Ravens, despite a Week 13 stumble against Cincinnati, have won four of their last five and are looking more and more like a team built for January football.
This is the kind of matchup where Tomlin has historically thrived. His teams are known for their resilience, especially when their backs are against the wall.
But this week, it’s not just about grit-it’s about execution. The Steelers need to find answers on both sides of the ball, and fast.
Baltimore brings a dynamic challenge, led by Lamar Jackson, whose ability to break a game open at any moment forces defenses to stay honest. If the Steelers want to stay alive in the division race-and quiet some of the noise around their head coach-they’ll need to deliver one of their sharpest performances of the season.
Tomlin’s tenure has been defined by stability and toughness. But with the postseason picture getting tighter and the criticism getting louder, the next few weeks could go a long way in determining how his legacy is ultimately written.