Former Pittsburgh Steelers star and ESPN analyst Ryan Clark has suggested that Mike Tomlin’s influence at the Steelers has diminished, despite the coach’s long tenure of never posting a losing season. While the Steelers are one of the league’s most heralded franchises, the organization has become accustomed to flaming out in the postseason in recent years. Tomlin, who has been the Steelers’ head coach since the 2007 season, has never ended a regular season with a losing record, but it has now been eight years since he led a team to victory in a playoff game.
Clark, who played for the Steelers from 2004 to 2014, argues that Tomlin, a first-ballot Hall of Fame candidate, has reached a point where his message might no longer resonate with the current Steelers’ locker room. However, Clark acknowledges Tomlin’s continued success, stating that the coach should not be forced out of his position but rather should consider moving to a different organization where he can offer a ‘fresh voice.’
While Tomlin has led the Steelers to a Super Bowl title and consistently been considered one of the NFL’s top coaches, the team has struggled in the postseason in recent years. Clark’s comments come amid speculation about Tomlin’s future with the franchise, with some suggesting that the coach’s message may no longer be effective with the current roster.
The Steelers’ quarterback situation is also a point of concern, with a lack of proven talent in the position potentially impacting the team’s success moving forward. Mason Rudolph left the Steelers after the 2023 season and joined the Tennessee Titans, where he threw nine touchdowns against nine interceptions over eight games in 2024. Aside from Rudolph, Skylar Thompson and rookie Will Howard are the only other quarterbacks under contract with the Steelers.
Howard led Ohio State to the national championship in January, and Pittsburgh drafted him in the sixth round last month. The Steelers have shown interest in veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who has met with the Steelers’ front office and coaches but has yet to make an official decision about his football future.