“Created Dysfunction”: Former Steelers Star Calls Out Mike Tomlin’s Costly Habit Behind Downfall

Mike Tomlin spent 19 years with the Pittsburgh Steelers Without a single dropping season, but he walked away from the Steelers with a nine-year playoff win drought. That contradiction is what makes his legacy so difficult. But what truly went flawed behind the scenes? Former Steelers linebacker Stevenson Sylvester, who performed below Tomlin throughout each the height years and the early indicators of decline, says he is aware of precisely the place the rot began.

“When I was with the Steelers, we were 12-4 my first two seasons,” Sylvester said. “Really good, top two, right next to Tom Brady’s stupid self, in the AFC. Then, my third year, we took a dip. We let go of some veterans. It wasn’t as good as the years before.

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“What I noticed, the distinction was Mike Tomlin would attempt to do everyone else’s job. He would attempt to do the defensive coordinator’s job, the linebacker coach’s job, and it would not go away time for these guys to do their job. That created dysfunction. And so, professionalism-wise, let everyone do their job. They’re employed for a sure sort of cause.”

A defensive-minded and already a Super Bowl-winning head coach, Tomlin had experience. What he was criticized for, however, was his tendency to put his fingerprints all over every aspect of the team, often blurring the lines between roles. This was one of the reasons why the Steelers rarely underwent a major defensive change, and eventually, the competition caught on and exploited that opportunity.

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman sat down with the Games With Names Podcast back in January 2025 and said exactly what transpired during the Patriots’ games against the Steelers. Mike Tomlin was still the head coach of the Steelers at that time. In his conversation, Edelman noted one thing: The Steelers’ defense never changed.

“You knew exactly what they were doing,” Edelman said. “And they nonetheless do what they did. They nonetheless do the identical goddamn sh– (as) once I was enjoying Tomlin’s protection. I’m like, ‘We nonetheless have linebackers masking the three slot? Every time we play the Steelers, I’ve at the least 9 catches.’ You would suppose that they might change it. But no, they do what they do.”

Edelman’s numbers backed that up. He caught 34 receptions for 341 yards in his six profession regular-season video games towards the Steelers. In his lone playoff matchup towards Tomlin’s protection, he grabbed 8 receptions for 118 yards and one landing within the 2016 AFC Championship Game.

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Edelman’s stance was clear that the Steelers had a predictable protection. As for Sylvester, he identified that Tomlin used to do his defensive coordinator’s (Dick LeBeau at the moment) and linebackers coach’s (Keith Butler) job. Fast ahead a number of extra years, and that was evident within the 2025 season as nicely.

In their worldwide matchup towards the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin, the Steelers had a pointy protection once they sacked Carson Wentz 6 occasions and compelled him to throw two interceptions. At the identical time, nonetheless, the protection allowed so many yards: 372 whole yards, together with 302 by means of the air.

As that occurred, followers began speculating who’s dealing with the defensive play-calling duties, defensive coordinator Teryl Austin or head coach Mike Tomlin? Steelers insider Brian Batko supplied followers with much-needed readability as he famous:

“My understanding of the situation is that Mike Tomlin is heavily involved in every facet, particularly with the defensive philosophy and game-planning and coaching points throughout the week. More than he is on the offensive side of the ball. But I’ve never been under the impression that Teryl Austin just stands there with an Eat’n Park menu during the games.”

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Looking again at it, it is onerous to disregard why Sylvester believes Tomlin’s behavior of taking each different coach’s job created dysfunction. However, Tomlin stepped down from the pinnacle teaching job when the Steelers failed to finish their playoff drought.

Now, Mike McCarthy has taken over the position of the Steelers’ chief and is now anticipated to do what Tomlin didn’t do for nearly a decade: Win a playoff sport. As for Tomlin, ever since he stepped away from soccer, he is been linked to coming into the broadcasting world sooner reasonably than later.

What’s the brand new replace on Mike Tomlin’s future?

After the 2021 season with the New Orleans SaintsSean Payton introduced his retirement from teaching in January 2022. As that occurred, the hypothesis constructed instantly about Payton’s future following his stint with the Saints. Payton, in the meantime, wasted no time earlier than pivoting to the broadcasting world.

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That stint, nonetheless, was shorter than many anticipated as Payton turned the Denver Broncos head coach in 2023. Fast ahead to now, and Mike Tomlin might be on the identical path. He has admitted that he has no intention to educate within the 2026 season. While a return to teaching in 2027 is unquestionably on the playing cards, he is presently anticipated to land a TV job.

That growth gained momentum just lately when the previous Steelers’ head coach signed with longtime sports activities media agent Sandy Montag’s company. Per Front Office SportsMontag and former sportscaster turned agent Alex Flanagan have now been entrusted with representing Tomlin in potential contract talks with networks and streaming platforms.

“Flanagan, the former anchor/reporter for NBC Sports and NFL Network, led the signing and will handle Tomlin’s day-to-day representation,” Front Office Sports reported.

Whether Tomlin in the end lands a TV position, returns to teaching in 2027 after a quick stint in broadcasting, or explores a special path stays to be seen.