Mike Tomlin was a fixture in the NFL, coaching the Pittsburgh Steelers for almost 20 years. He was one of the league’s most successful head coaches, winning a Super Bowl and never having a losing season. However, he struggled in the postseason over the last decade, and he stepped down this offseason. Despite that, the Steelers aren’t rebuilding, still trying to compete for a championship. Dave Dameshek doesn’t believe that Tomlin wants to see the Steelers accomplish that goal in 2026, though.
“Mike Tomlin doesn’t want the Steelers to go on a postseason run this season,” Dameshek said recently on his Football America podcast. “I’m surprised so many of you, especially Steelers fans, disagree with his. ‘He’s still friendly with people in the building.’ Do you hope your pals have fun on the road trip you weren’t invited on…?
“Tomlin just cleaned out his office a few days ago. This is a guy whose career has been devoted to organized competition, but he didn’t win when it mattered most over the last decade. You think he now wants to see his team show that they’re better off without him…? For Steelers fans, I hope brighter days are ahead come January and February. Just don’t expect Tomlin to be there waving a Terrible Towel if they are.”
That feels like a stretch. Dameshek’s comparison isn’t perfect. Yes, Tomlin might feel a little sad if the Steelers win a championship without him. That might be especially true because Tomlin wanted nothing more than to make his veteran players champions.
However, that desire would still likely make Tomlin elated to see the Steelers go on a postseason run. He has a well-documented and close relationship with Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt. Watt hasn’t even won a single playoff game in his career. Tomlin’s heart would have to be ice-cold to root against that changing.
Also, the Steelers already have an example of a head coach stepping down, only to see his successor win a championship shortly after. Bill Cowher retired following the 2006 season, and Tomlin won a Super Bowl at the conclusion of the 2008 season. Still, Cowher has never spoken ill of Tomlin. He’s always been supportive.
It’s not like people forget about Cowher, either. Many people have said that Tomlin only won the Super Bowl with “Cowher’s team.” If McCarthy wins a Super Bowl in Pittsburgh relatively soon, it will be interesting to see if anyone says he won with “Tomlin’s team.”
If the Steelers win the Super Bowl this year, it could feel bittersweet for Tomlin. However, he also stated that he left because he felt like it was time for a change. If he still believed he was the man for the job, he would have remained in Pittsburgh. He wants to see the Steelers succeed. Nothing he has said or done indicates that he’s rooting against them as Dameshek suggests.
