Mike Tomlin fired Pittsburgh Steelers coach 17 seasons

After a disappointing loss, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin's future is in doubt. Fans and players are losing faith in him.

The Pittsburgh Steelers and their long-time head coach, Mike Tomlin, may be at a crossroads. After a disappointing 30-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15, all eyes are now on Tomlin and his future with one of the NFL's most stable and successful franchises.

Once celebrated for his rapid ascent to prominence, including winning a Super Bowl in his second season as a head coach, Mike Tomlin is now under scrutiny. His future in Pittsburgh faces an uncertainty unfamiliar to both him and a franchise known for winning six Lombardi trophies and having uncommon loyalty and stability within its front office.

The Steelers have only had three head coaches since 1969, a stark contrast to the Las Vegas Raiders, who have had 10 head coaches since Tomlin took the helm in Pittsburgh for the 2007 season. This stability is rooted in the owners -- the Rooney family -- and their team philosophy that values long-term vision and consistency. Tomlin follows in the footsteps of Chuck Noll and Bill Cowher, who both set standards by winning five Super Bowls during their two tenures combined.

Jarrett Bailey, who covers the NFL for USA Today and is the deputy editor at Behind The Steel Curtain, a news website covering the team, said the Steelers just aren't adapting to the modern realities of the NFL. Bailey was clear when asked why, despite the overwhelming drop-off in the team's performance under Mike Tomlin, they haven't moved on.

The numbers appear to support what Bailey asserts. Once perennial championship contenders, the Steelers and Mike Tomlin have failed to win a playoff game since 2016 and have just three postseason wins since 2010. The Steelers have also been plagued by fast starts and late-season collapses.

Mike Tomlin's initial five seasons as head coach were marked by a combination of unbridled energy and regular-season and postseason success. Taking charge in 2007, he guided the Steelers to a Super Bowl victory during the 2008 season, solidifying his reputation as one of the league's top young coaches. Yet, in the past five seasons, Tomlin's teams have just one AFC North title and have failed to win a playoff game.

The Steelers' loss to the Colts magnified the struggles they have faced recently under Tomlin's leadership. Turnovers, unforced errors, penalties, and an inability to adjust their game plan all doomed Pittsburgh in an important game to remain in the middle of the tight AFC playoff race.

The mistakes and self-destruction seen in Indianapolis have become recurring themes in recent weeks, indicating patterns in Tomlin's coaching approach. Recurring questions about Tomlin's ability to adapt to current NFL offensive trends, problems with player development, and the organization's lack of effectiveness in drafting young players are why the Steelers continue to struggle.

No one knows what owner Art Rooney II is thinking about Tomlin and his future in Pittsburgh. The owner, the last time he spoke about Tomlin in January, supported his coach and seemed unmoved by recent failures because he had seen progress last season.

Rooney's statement came after the Steelers rallied to win four straight to end last season, still missing the playoffs. This season, the Steelers are struggling down the stretch, including an extended losing streak, uncertainty at quarterback, and a defense that's not cutting it. Fans have turned on Tomlin, and it appears players like George Pickens and Dionte Johnson are often putting forward less than 100 percent on the field. There are troubling signs Tomlin could be losing his grip on his team.

Rooney will have a tough choice to make this offseason. If he chooses to stay with Tomlin, he'll have to answer questions about why he should stick with a coach who continues to move the franchise further away from, rather than closer to, another long-awaited trip to the Super Bowl.