Many were calling for the Pittsburgh Steelers to part with head coach Mike Tomlin this offseason after the team lost its sixth straight playoff game. On Monday, team president Art Rooney II reiterated that isn’t going to happen.
“When you look at how many games Mike has won in this league, you don’t win that many games if you’re not a good coach,” Rooney said. “I know he’s frustrated like we all are, in terms of not being able to take that next step. We still feel good about him being our leader and still think he has the strengths that he’s always had, in terms of being able to lead a team.”
That is a similar sentiment the Steelers have told teams that have already inquired about the availability of Tomlin this offseason. The Chicago Bears and another unnamed team have already checked in on the 18-year head coach, but it sounds like they were both pretty quick phone calls.
While Tomlin hasn’t led the Steelers to a playoff win since the 2016 season, his non-losing season streak is unprecedented. He holds the NFL record for the most consecutive non-losing seasons to begin coaching career with 18.
Rooney doesn’t think that should be overlooked, and instead, urges fans to look at the bigger picture.
“The other side of the coin is when you look at the fact that we have six, seven, eight teams a year that turn their coaches over,” Rooney said. “When you have a good coach, you just try to keep building with him.”
Six teams have already made a change at head coach and there will soon be seven as the New Orleans Saints continue the search for their next leader.
Rooney shares fans’s frustrations, but he also doesn’t believe the grass is always greener on the other side.
“I share their frustration,” Rooney said. “I was very disappointed the way we ended the season, so I understand that. I understand why people are mad. All I can say is actions speak louder than words and we’ve got to be better.”
It remains to be seen what those actions or changes will be, but Tomlin will not be one of them anytime soon.