Ryan Clark Tells Steelers' Mike Tomlin That They Should Be A Big Loser In 2025

The Pittsburgh Steelers have just completed the 2025 NFL Draft. The Steelers did a nice job of addressing needs and getting a good mixture of value in this draft. One of the things the Steelers didn't do was address quarterback early, despite many thinking that they could and also seeing that top prospects fell within the realm of reach several times. Still, the Steelers held true to themselves and didn't reach on a quarterback. They ended up drafting Will Howard in the sixth round, but few believe he's going to have any chance to start.

The jury is still out on Aaron Rodgers and what his plans are. If Rodgers does come to Pittsburgh, obviously that changes things for the 2025 season. However, the Steelers, chronically under Mike Tomlin, are consistently above average, never being in the top 10 to have a top 10 pick to secure their next franchise quarterback. That has created a cycle of stability without long-term answers at the most important position in football.

That's precisely why former Steelers safety Ryan Clark made a highly controversial take on ESPN's Get Up on Wednesday. Clark encouraged the Steelers and Tomlin to consider losing—tanking the 2025 season—in order to finally secure a true franchise quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft, which is projected to be loaded with elite talent. It's a bold and divisive suggestion, especially for a team and coach known for their competitive culture, but Clark's message was clear: the Steelers might have to take a step back to take a giant leap forward.

"They should want to lose," Clark said. "I know this goes against everything that's Black and Yellow, but they've been a competitive team the entire time Mike Tomlin's been there. But since Ben Roethlisberger got to like the last two or three years of his career, they were not a championship contender."

When the Steelers passed on quarterback Shedeur Sanders at 21st overall, Clark was visibly disappointed. He believed the team needed to take that swing at finding their next franchise quarterback. However, as Sanders continued to slide through multiple rounds, it started to look like the Steelers made the right call by ignoring Clark’s advice. 

Now, he’s doubling down with even more extreme commentary, urging the Steelers to tank the 2025 season, something Tomlin would likely never even consider.

"They play just well enough to never get a high enough pick to go get the next Ben Roethlisberger," Clark said. "And you're not gonna find that dude in free agency either. So whether it's Mason Rudolph, whether it's Aaron Rodgers, they should want to suck finally. They should want to get a top-10 pick in a quarterback draft that looks to be a lot better next year than the one there was this year."

Steelers fans have shown frustration even when the team finishes with a non-losing record and makes the playoffs. While the fan base may claim they can handle a losing season, their reactions when the Steelers struggle suggest otherwise. Tomlin is highly competitive, and this roster remains talented. If Rodgers does end up in Pittsburgh, the team would, on paper, turn into Super Bowl contenders.

Steelers Believe They Can Win Now

The idea of tanking might sound appealing to some, but it’s not as simple as it seems. There's no guarantee the Steelers would even find their franchise quarterback by tanking. The hype around the 2026 NFL Draft for quarterbacks is strong, but similar excitement surrounded the 2025 class, only for it to be considered weak when draft time came.

While the 2026 quarterback class may look promising, there are still several unproven prospects. It’s far too early for the Steelers to even consider tanking. This roster is a quarterback away from making a deep postseason run in the eyes of the organization. Tanking is out of the question, and many believe Clark’s advice is downright crazy.