Steelers' Mike Tomlin Losing Support From Ryan Clark After Powerful Analogy Explains His Recent Struggles

The Pittsburgh Steelers have only had three head coaches since 1969. Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season in his 18 years as head coach, a remarkable achievement in the NFL. However, despite his consistency during the regular season, Tomlin hasn’t won a playoff game since the 2016 season, sitting at 0-5 in postseason games since then. The most concerning aspect of these losses has been the manner in which his teams have been dominated early in these crucial games, leaving little room for a comeback.

Some supporters argue that Tomlin overachieves every season, and by the time the Steelers reach the playoffs, it’s inevitable that they might fall short. But this argument has worn thin in recent years, especially when considering that outside of quarterback, the Steelers have had a talented roster. The fact that they continue to be outclassed so thoroughly in the postseason is unacceptable for a team with Pittsburgh's proud history and high expectations. The lack of progression in these key moments has fueled frustration among fans and analysts alike.

This frustration has led to calls for Tomlin’s firing, though it remains unlikely to happen anytime soon. On NFL Live, Tomlin’s former player Ryan Clark addressed these concerns, getting candid about the Steelers’ struggles. Clark acknowledged Tomlin’s successes but didn’t shy away from pointing out the need for improvement, particularly in the postseason, if the Steelers are to return to their former glory. His honesty reflects the growing sense of urgency surrounding the team’s future under Tomlin’s leadership.

"Well, if they were in a relationship, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Mike Tomlin, they would be the main topic of every girls trip," Clark said. "It would be the one lady saying, 'I have this man and he does everything so well and he's so good to me and I love him and we're successful and we're happy, but I don't feel like it is bliss. I feel like there's another step.' All of the home girls who are married and have some sense are like, 'Girl, you better not leave him.' Then the single home girl who has never had a stable relationship would be like, 'No girl, you could have it all.'"

Clark shares one of the closest relationships with Tomlin, and as Clark has excelled in the analyst world, leveling up his career, their bond has remained strong. 

Despite his success in the media, Clark has stayed in touch with Tomlin and has consistently been one of his biggest supporters. However, even with this deep connection, Clark didn’t hold back when addressing the difficult issues surrounding the Steelers, offering his candid thoughts on the matter.

"Is Mike Tomlin overachieving early on in the season or is he under achieving in the playoffs? Is this team that always seems prepared in big games during the season that has fell behind by at least 14 in the last five playoffs trips," Clark said. "Are they not prepared? Are they not ready? Are they not maintaining the message from the meeting room to the football field? If you feel like that you have to have the conversation about a higher ceiling, but here is what you are going to have to deal with, you could also end up being the Jacksonville Jaguars. This team doesn't know what it feels like to win five games."

Steelers Are Stuck In Sports Purgatory

The concern is that if the Steelers did move on from Tomlin—though this remains highly unlikely—it could lead to a period of struggle. Without Tomlin, the team might face more losing seasons, which could set the franchise back. Some argue that this is exactly what's holding the Steelers back: they’re stuck in a state of sports purgatory, not bad enough to land a top draft pick, but not good enough to compete in the postseason. Every year, they hover just above the middle of the pack.

This consistent mediocrity ensures that the Steelers never have the high draft picks necessary to make significant improvements, but are always good enough to avoid a full-scale rebuild. It’s a delicate balance, and some believe a true rebuild might be the only way forward, especially with an aging, star-studded defense that has yet to achieve playoff success.

The 2025 offseason promises to be a pivotal time for the franchise, with plenty of storylines for Steelers fans to follow. How the team navigates the challenges ahead will determine whether they stay on the same trajectory or finally take bold steps toward a new era.

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