Mike Tomlin's Massive Steelers Disappointments Will Start The 'Water Boiling' After 2023 According To 1 Steelers Radio Host

The Pittsburgh Steelers are only a few short days away from heading to Saint Vincent College, which is tucked in the tiny mountain town of Latrobe, Pennsylvania. For many Steelers fans, this is an annual trip out east in which they are able to get a firsthand look at the newly acquired players and rookies at camp, as well as get a chance to meet their favorite players in the black and gold. 

Last season, the main focus and topic of discussion was on the quarterbacks heading into training camp. The Steelers had brought in two new quarterbacks (Kenny Pickett and Mitch Trubisky) and fans were intrigued as to who was going to be the replacement of future Hall of Fame quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger. It was expected in 2022 that there would be growing pains with a rookie quarterback and a young set of skill players on offense. 

As the 2022 season progressed, Pickett and the Steelers offense started to find their stride and rhythm. Although the scoreboard or stat sheet didn't always reflect it, Pickett was starting to get comfortable running the offense and had multiple game-winning drives late in the season. 

As the Steelers and fans turn their attention in anticipation toward the upcoming season, there may be a new focal point heading into 2023. 

It is well-known around the league that Head Coach Mike Tomlin has yet to have a losing season in the 16 years he has been at the helm in Pittsburgh. That is undoubtedly a significant accomplishment that can't be overstated. But when it comes to recent wins in the playoffs, Coach Tomlin and the Steelers have struggled to find much success. 

On Thursday, Chris Mueller of The PM Team on Pittsburgh's sports station 93.7 The Fan stated that 2023 is 'put up or shut up' time for the Steelers organization. 

"I would say that there is a two-year window starting right now, where it is very much put up or shut up time for what they have built."

Mueller gave credit to General Manager Omar Khan who has been the key piece in bringing in multiple veteran free agents and a stellar draft class that will play a huge role for the Steelers in 2023. He also went on to say that if the Steelers fall short again this season and underachieve with this year's roster, Tomlin should definitely be on the hot seat heading into the 2024 season. 

"If we get to next year and they haven't won a playoff game, the water should start boiling under a lot of different people, mainly Mike Tomlin who will then have gone seven years without a playoff win. But I think this is the beginning of a two-year window that's going to tell you a whole lot about the next five years or so of what the Pittsburgh Steelers are, or are not going to be."

Steelers And Coach Tomlin Have 2 More Years 

No, Tomlin is not on the hot seat heading the 2023 season. But he does have enough talent on both sides of the ball to put up a respectful performance in the playoffs. It has been six years since the Steelers last won a playoff game and the drought has been a tough pill for Steelers fans to swallow. 

What makes 2023 different than 2022, is the fact that Tomlin can't hide behind a rookie quarterback or a subpar offensive line. Pickett will be now in his second season and will be coming off of a strong finish to his rookie campaign, so the expectations will be quite high for the young quarterback. 

The Steelers also have invested both top-tier draft picks and money into their offensive line, which in theory should help third-year running back Najee Harris have a breakout season. Harris and the running game started to find their stride after the bye week in 2022, and now with added pieces to an already improved line, the sky is the limit for the Steelers run game in 2023.

On top of a revamped offensive line, the Steelers haven't been shy when it comes to investing money and draft picks into their defense. On Wednesday, the Steelers announced that they had extended outside linebacker Alex Highsmith to a four-year, $68 million contract. The extension of Highsmith locks in one of the most dangerous pass-rushing duos between him and TJ Watt. 

It is safe to say with the pieces added this offseason and the strides that should be made by their young playmakers on both sides of the ball, the bare minimum this team should expect is a spot in the playoffs. It would be outlandish to say that the Steelers should expect to win the AFC North or make a Super Bowl run in 2023, but Tomlin has enough talent to make a respectable postseason run. If the Steelers somehow find a way to not play additional football in January for the second year in a row, it would be safe to say they need to have a long and hard look at the head coach moving forward.

What do you think? Do you agree that Tomlin should be on the hot seat heading into the 2024 season if the Steelers fall short of expectations this year? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below!

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