The Pittsburgh Steelers have finished another season without a playoff win. After the 2023 season, Team Owner Art Rooney II made it very clear that his patience is growing thin with the Steelers’ lack of postseason success. Head Coach Mike Tomlin hasn’t won a playoff game since the 2016 season, a drought that has been frustrating for Steelers fans who see a talented roster unable to deliver even a single postseason victory. While most head coaches would have been replaced by now, Tomlin’s historic success and the Steelers’ philosophy of stability have kept him in place.
Despite growing discontent among fans, it is expected that Tomlin will return for the 2025 season. Many fans feel that this decision reflects a refusal to adapt, as the franchise clings to its tradition of continuity over results. The frustration is palpable, with critics pointing out that the team’s potential is being wasted under a system that has failed to evolve in recent years. Calls for change have grown louder, especially as other NFL teams continue to achieve postseason success with bold coaching moves.
Steelers insider Mark Kaboly offered his perspective on the situation during an appearance on 93.7 The Fan. Kaboly emphasized that while Rooney is unlikely to fire Tomlin, he could push for significant adjustments to his approach. Kaboly believes the biggest issue is that Tomlin is micromanaging every little aspect of the team and it's starting to hurt them big time.
"But Mike Tomlin has his finger in everything," Kaboly said. "That's who maybe shouldn't have his finger in Arthur Smith's stuff and Teryl Austin's stuff. We saw it last week. He even admitted it. 'We don't want to be a team who turns the ball over. We wanted to run the ball against the Bengals.' So it was obviously his idea. You can't allow that to happen if you are the owner and you are looking for some sort of change here without changing the head coach."
Kaboly suggested that Rooney needs to encourage Tomlin to delegate more responsibility and reevaluate his game-day decision-making.
For a franchise steeped in tradition, making these changes without parting ways with Tomlin might strike the balance needed to reignite the team’s playoff hopes according to Kaboly.
"You have to say, 'Mike, we know you are the face of the franchise, but you need to back off a little bit and let these guys do their jobs without you.' I don't think it will happen and I don't know why Tomlin would agree to that, but that's the thing you could think about if you want change without change," Kaboly said. "We see it with Hard Knocks. His finger is in everything. That's why Matt Canada, partly, stayed around because he may feel sorry for them because he doesn't allow them to do their job to the full extent."
During the 2023 season, the Steelers made a rare and historic move by firing Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada midseason—something unheard of for Pittsburgh, a team known for its stability. This decision highlighted just how poorly the offense was performing.
However, Kaboly offered a different perspective, suggesting that these coordinators might be at a significant disadvantage due to Tomlin’s tendency to micromanage every aspect of the team.
Steelers' Art Rooney II Has Fans Eager To Hear From Him
Kaboly doesn’t believe Tomlin would willingly relinquish control over critical elements of the organization, but he argues that Rooney should step in and push for change. Despite this, it seems unlikely that any substantial changes will be made involving Tomlin, who appears set to coach the team until he decides to step away. Rooney’s traditional approach to leadership makes drastic action improbable, much to the frustration of some fans.
Still, Kaboly insists that if Rooney wants to send a strong message, he could publicly demand that Tomlin adjust his approach and delegate more authority. This would signal a shift in how the Steelers handle key decisions behind the scenes. With Rooney expected to address the media soon, Steelers fans are eager to hear whether he will take a bold stance or maintain the status quo.
