Steelers' Mike Tomlin Hit With Strong Comparison To Controversial Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones: "It Was Bad"

The Pittsburgh Steelers entered into the 2024 NFL season with low expectations. Many pundits expected them to miss the playoffs, but as they sat at 10-3, many critics quickly apologized and labeled them Super Bowl contenders. The optimism, however, was short-lived. After a brutal four-game losing streak to close the regular season, the Steelers’ momentum fizzled out.

Things went from bad to worse in the postseason, as the Steelers were handed a 28-14 loss by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the playoffs. This meant they had lost five straight games to end the year, turning what seemed like a promising season into a massive failure. Steelers fans, disillusioned by the collapse, began calling for Mike Tomlin’s departure, believing it was time for a new voice in the Steel City.

Despite the growing calls for change, Tomlin is likely to remain in Pittsburgh. National media outlets have been debating his future and legacy, especially since he hasn't won a playoff game since the 2016 season. Pundit Dan Orlovsky even sparked controversy during his appearance on ESPN's First Take by comparing Tomlin to the controversial owner and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys, Jerry Jones, due to their similar struggles in leading their teams to consistent playoff success.

"Is Mike Tomlin a little bit like Jerry Jones? He is an unbelievably loyal person and at times when it comes to his business at football, it might hinder them a little bit," Orlovsky said. "Because he values the relationship so much, it may hinder them as a football team."

One of the most alarming issues wasn't just the fact that the Steelers lost five straight games, but rather the way in which they lost. Those defeats came at the hands of elite quarterbacks and talented teams, making them somewhat understandable. The real concern, however, was the Steelers' apparent lack of effort and attitude in the final two games, which raised serious questions about the team’s mentality. 

Even more troubling was the inability of Tomlin and his staff to make the necessary adjustments during this critical stretch. Orlovsky went as far as to say that the tape from the Ravens loss was the worst he had ever seen from a Tomlin-led team. 

"That tape this past weekend is tough to watch," Orlovsky said. "It’s as tough a Steelers tape as I have ever seen. All across the board, the offense, the defense, the fight, the effort, the detail, the consistency and being on the same page. It was bad."

This statement highlights the severity of the situation, pointing to not only the team’s failure to execute but also the lack of leadership and strategic response in such a crucial moment. It’s a stark contrast to the Steelers’ usual reputation for resilience under Tomlin’s guidance.

Steelers Got Called Out During The Game By Commentators

When broadcast teams are calling out a lack of effort for two straight weeks, including in a playoff game, it's hard to ignore the fact that real change is needed. For five consecutive games, Steelers fans felt like they were watching the same disappointing performance. 

The offense that had been lighting up defenses was suddenly struggling, and the defense that had been shutting down opponents couldn’t stop anything. Something drastic shifted, and the fact that the team couldn’t even muster up enough energy for a playoff game raised serious concerns among fans.

Orlovsky admits that after reviewing the tape, it’s hard not to demand significant change. However, he doesn’t believe it’s time to jump on the "fire Tomlin" bandwagon just yet. The comparison to Jones is interesting because of Jones’ controversial hands-on approach to his organization. Much like Jones, Tomlin is known for his micromanagement, and for many, this is seen as one of his fatal flaws—something holding the team back from reaching its full potential.

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