Mike Tomlin has been the face of consistency in Pittsburgh for nearly two decades. Since taking over as head coach of the Steelers, he’s built a résumé that includes a Super Bowl title, another appearance, and a streak of never having a losing season.
That kind of stability is rare in the NFL. But as the Steelers head into a win-or-go-home Week 18 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, the question hanging over the franchise isn’t about Tomlin’s past - it’s about whether his approach still works in the present.
Let’s be clear: Tomlin’s legacy in Pittsburgh is secure. He’s one of the most respected coaches in the game, and his ability to keep the Steelers competitive year after year - even through roster turnover and quarterback changes - is impressive. But the NFL is a results-driven league, and the results lately have been stuck in neutral.
The Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since 2016. That’s nearly a decade of postseason frustration for a franchise that measures success in Lombardis, not Wild Card berths. And this season, after holding a two-game lead in the AFC North with two weeks to play, they suddenly find themselves on the brink of another collapse.
Sunday’s 13-6 loss to a three-win Cleveland Browns team wasn’t just a missed opportunity - it was a gut punch. The division was right there for the taking.
Win and you’re in. Instead, the Steelers looked flat, unprepared, and offensively lifeless.
Without DK Metcalf, who was suspended for the game, the passing attack never found rhythm. The game plan didn’t seem designed to win so much as it did to avoid disaster - particularly from Myles Garrett, who was hunting the single-season sack record.
That kind of conservative, play-not-to-lose mentality simply doesn’t cut it in today’s NFL. And now, the Steelers are staring down a must-win game against a Ravens team that just ran all over Green Bay to keep their own playoff hopes alive.
Baltimore’s physicality and momentum are real. Pittsburgh’s offensive identity, on the other hand, remains a mystery.
It’s not just about one game. It’s about a pattern.
This team has developed a habit of fading late in the year. The numbers back it up - promising starts followed by late-season stumbles.
And while Tomlin’s teams never bottom out, they also haven’t broken through that ceiling in years. High floor, low ceiling.
That’s not the standard Pittsburgh fans - or the organization - are used to.
If the Steelers lose to the Ravens and miss the playoffs, it’s fair to ask whether it’s time for a reset. Not because Tomlin isn’t a good coach - he is - but because the formula might no longer be working.
The NFL is about evolution, and sometimes even great coaches hit a wall. If the Steelers stick with the status quo after another late-season letdown, they’re essentially saying they’re okay with being just good enough - hovering around nine or ten wins, flirting with the postseason, but never seriously contending.
That’s not the Steelers way. At least, it hasn’t been historically.
So, yes, Week 18 should be a defining moment - not just for the season, but for the direction of the franchise. If Pittsburgh wants to be more than just competitive - if they want to get back to being a real threat in January - they have to take a hard look at where they are and where they’re going.
Mike Tomlin has earned the benefit of the doubt for a long time. But in the NFL, past success doesn’t guarantee future results. And if the Steelers fall short again next weekend, it may be time to ask the toughest question of all: is it time to turn the page?